RESEARCH THEME: Autophagy in cancer    

For More Info   http://www.bcgsc.ca/about/autophagy-2012

Autophagy is an intracellular lysosomal-mediated process that functions to degrade and recycle cellular components. In recent years, autophagy has been implicated in numerous human diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, bacterial and viral infections, and bone disease. Depending on the disease and cellular context, autophagy may act to either promote or suppress human disease. In cancer, autophagy can act to promote tumorigenesis by providing cancer cells a means of survival.  Autophagy also plays a cytoprotective role in tumours as a response to many anticancer agents.  Genetic studies targeting autophagy pathway components indicate that inhibition of autophagy is a promising therapeutic strategy for some cancers. However, there is limited data and a lack of selective autophagy-modulating compounds available to provide validation. Internationally, the focus is on fully exploring the potential of autophagy modulating drugs to increase the efficacy of current cancer therapies.

 Workshop Objectives

• bring together international and local experts in cell biology, drug discovery and clinical translation
• help frame the state of our understanding of autophagy and the therapeutic potential for autophagy modulation with drugs or biological treatments
• provide networking opportunities for trainees to interact with the industry and academic leaders in this field

Major topics covered

This will be an excellent opportunity for local trainees from SFU, UBC, UVic, BCCA and CDRD to interact with academic and industry-based Research Scientists representing the top of their fields from around the world. Topics will include human and mouse genetic analyses and modulation of autophagy genes, molecular target selection, and progress toward in silico design, screening, lead identification and development of specific small molecule modulators of autophagy to provide proof-of-principle and, ultimately, potential therapeutic agents. Ongoing cancer clinical trials employing first generation autophagy inhibitors will also be discussed. The disease focus of the symposium and workshop will be cancer but the relevance and implications of autophagy modulation for other diseases will also be discussed.