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A multi-pronged approach to treat cancer. Jonathan Rios-Doria, Ph.D. Bite of Science Towson University, Baltimore, MD September 10 th , 2014. Outline of my talk. 1. My career path. 2. Fundamentals of cancer biology and why cancer is hard to treat. 3.
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A multi-pronged approach to treat cancer Jonathan Rios-Doria, Ph.D. Bite of Science Towson University, Baltimore, MD September 10th, 2014
Outline of my talk 1 My career path 2 Fundamentals of cancer biology and why cancer is hard to treat 3 MedImmune’s approach to cancer therapy 4 A day in the life at MedImmune and critical skills needed
Education and Experience • Eisenhower H.S, Shelby Twp., MI • University of Michigan, B.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology • University of Michigan, Ph.D. Cellular and Molecular Biology • Cancer Biology focus • Postdoctoral fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL • Employed at startup biotech company in Tampa, FL • Nanomedicines to treat cancer • Joined MedImmune in 2011
Hallmarks of Cancer Hanahan and Weinberg, Cell. Volume 144, Issue 5, 2011, 646 - 674
Cancer Statistics, 2014 Siegel R., et all. CA Cancer J Clin. 2014 Jan-Feb;64(1):9-29
Why is cancer hard to treat? • Cancer is not one disease, it is a collection of diseases • Cancer is heterogeneous • Identifying which patients will respond to a therapy is challenging • Cancer cells are good at avoiding death • Most cancers recur and are develop drug resistance
Fast Facts: MedImmune and AstraZeneca • MedImmune: a world-leading biologics company • Founded 25 years ago • Combines several former biotechs; merged with CAT in 2008 • Biologics subsidiary of AstraZeneca • MedImmune “Firsts” • First approved fully human MAb drug: Humira (world’s top selling drug) • First FDA-approved MAb for infectious disease: Synagis • First VLP technology for HPV vaccines • First advance in flu technology in 60+ yrs: FluMist • AstraZeneca: world leading oncology company • tamoxifen (Nolvadex), bicalutimide (Casodex), gefitinib (Iressa), fulvestrant (Faslodex), anastrozole (Arimidex)
Two major areas of focus Tumor Targeted Therapies Immune Mediated Therapies Directly and specifically attacking tumor cells with powerful biologics • Activating and shaping a potent and durable anti-tumor immune response
We Match the Target to the Best Therapeutic Technologies • MedImmune is a world leader in the development of antibody drugs • Multiple sophisticated biologics platforms within our tool kit ADCC enhanced YTE (half life extension) Antibody Drug Conjugate Bi-Specific NK TM (effector null) The biologics IMEDs Ligand Mimetic Target Cell 10
ADC Mechanism of Action Schrama et al 2006. Nat Rev. Drug Disc
Anatomy of ADCs • http://www.biooncology.com/research-education/adc/about-adcs/index.html Target • High expression in tumors • Very limited normal expression Antibody • Target specific • Internalized to lysosome • Site-specific conjugation technology Linker • Non-cleavable, cleavable • Stable to prevent release of the warhead Cytotoxic warhead • Highly potent small molecule • Chemically-modifiable to attach linker • Payload = Linker + Warhead 12
Cancer Stem Cells: A paradigm shift Targeting cancer stem cells may provide a durable clinical response
Cancer Immunotherapy – 2013 Breakthrough of the year* Pardoll., et al. Nat Rev Cancer. 2012 Mar 22;12(4):252-64 *as chosen by the editors of Science
My primary role at MedImmune • In vivo pharmacology • New model development • Evaluating in vivo efficacy of various anti-cancer drugs in the pipeline • Determining pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of action of drugs • Identifying which tumor models and types in which the drugs work • Identifying molecular markers of drug response
Drug Development Timeline Clinical Trials (~10 years) Preclinical Research (~3-5 years) Target Discovery Approval IND Where most of my work is
Example of evaluating efficacy of a candidate anti-cancer drug
Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) models -Tumor is directly from patient -Never cultured in vitro
Exploring mechanism of action of antibodies Nonspecific IgG Antibody X mg/kg 30 10 3 30 pAkt Akt pSrc Src
Untreated Untreated B07 B07 Antibody 1 Antibody 1 Fluorescent imaging of ovarian cancer
Why I chose this career • Patient is the primary focus • Discovery is exciting • Opportunities for innovation and novel therapies • New technologies • Variety and dynamic nature of work
Example of typical day • 7:30-9:00am – catch up on emails, prepare for meetings • 9:00-10:00am – meeting with project team • 10-11am – seminar from invited speaker or candidate interview • 11-11:30am – chat in hallway around cool idea or recent piece of data • 11:30-12:30pm – lunch • 12:30-1:00pm – respond to emails received in the morning • 1:00-2:00pm – meeting with another project team • 2-3:30pm – individual or team meetings with members of staff • 3:30-4:00pm – teleconference or video chats with colleagues or external partners • 4-5:00pm – catch up on emails and start to prepare for next day’s activities • 5:00pm- Leave
What I look for in a job candidate • Creative thinker and intellectually sharp • Evidence of problem solving ability • Good educational background and record of accomplishment • The ability to work in a team environment • Good communication skills