In a demonstration of Montefiore Einstein’s unwavering commitment to innovative cancer research and education, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center recently hosted its inaugural Cancer Chemical Biology and Drug Development symposium.
The full-day event at the Price Center, spearheaded by Evripidis Gavathiotis, PhD, Co-Leader, Cancer Therapeutics Research Program, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Professor, Biochemistry, Medicine and Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, provided a forum for faculty, students and postdoctoral trainees to hear from researchers and industry leaders about cutting-edge strategies for developing cancer therapies.
Speakers from Vanderbilt and Yale universities, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and biotech companies Revolution Medicines and Amgen presented insights on the latest breakthroughs in small-molecule cancer therapeutics. While small-molecule drugs have been a mainstay of cancer treatment for years, innovations in protein targeting, drug delivery systems and personalized medicine have opened the door to additional treatment options.
Presentations included “Targeting RAS and MYC [Oncogenes] for Cancer Therapy Using Fragment-Based Methods,” Stephen Fesik, PhD, Vanderbilt University; “Tik-TAC-Toe: A Heterobifunctional Drug for Every Need,” Craig Crews, PhD, Yale School of Medicine; “Targeting and Controlling Protein-Protein Interaction Networks in Disease,” Gabriela Chiosis, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; “Targeting RAS-Addicted Cancers with Tricomplex Inhibitors,” Jan Smith, PhD, Revolution Medicines; and “New Approaches in Overcoming Long Standing Therapeutic Challenges: The Development of Covalent Inhibitors of KRAS G12C,” Simon Jones, PhD, Amgen.
“The speakers we selected were high-profile scientists and world leaders in their specific areas of expertise,” Dr. Gavathiotis said. “We were really lucky to also get top-notch people from the industry, representing some of the latest successful drug developments and technologies.”
Edward Chu, MD, MMS, Vice President, Cancer Medicine, Montefiore Medicine, Director, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Interim Chair, Department of Oncology, and Professor, Oncology, Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, and Carol and Roger Einiger Professor of Cancer Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, delivered the symposium’s morning welcome and closing remarks. Vern L. Schramm, PhD, Ruth Merns Chair and Professor, Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and member, Cancer Therapeutics Program, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, shared findings on transition state analogs as drug candidates.
Each speaker was allotted 45 minutes to present and 15 minutes to answer questions. “The audience appreciated that interaction, sharing ideas and asking questions,” Dr. Gavathiotis said. “This led to continued discussion and networking throughout the day.”
The energy for conversations and focus on novel therapeutics seamlessly carried through to the next day’s Comprehensive Cancer Center annual scientific retreat at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, which involved research updates on advances in drug development and more.
Learn more about how Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center translates drug discoveries into new treatments.
