Title: Immunotherapy in 2020: Beyond checkpoint inhibition and CAR T Cells

Abstract:

The word “immunotherapy” over the last 30 years translates into monospecific, single arm  immunotherapy. Evolution, however, has driven the immune system to a power full killing mechanism based specific polyclonal  and multiple arm responses. Unfortunately, cancer has been able to hide behind the secure safety mechanism that co-evolved with the immune system to prevent autoimmune disease, so it could circumvent the killing power of the immune system.
TYG oncology use the S-TIR™ technology platform for human specific active checkpoint control immunotherapy (ACCI), that allows to circumvent these safety mechanisms, in a tumour specific manner and thus safe manner.
Two prototype ACCIs for treatment of pancreatic cancer (TYG100) and breast cancer (TYG200) have so far been developed from the platform. ACCIs derived from this platform consist of 2 modules, the disease specific module, “immunogen” and the generic module, “warhead”, which directs the vaccines to CD32 on antigen presenting cells, especially pDCs and B cells. The immunogen in oncology is a tumour associated auto-antigen, against which under normal conditions no clinically relevant immune responses can be induced. We will present conclusive proof that it is finally possible to overcome all the tricks of cancer cells to prevent therapeutic immune responses. No more need for bulk infusion of very expensive and artificial treatments such as CAR-T cells or use of monoclonal antibodies, which either try to mimic tumour specific B cell responses (e.g. Herceptin and Perjeta) OR try to activate cytotoxic T cells, that by chance may also kill tumours (e.g. Opdivo, Yervoy, Keytruda). S-TIR™ ACCIs fully activate both arms of the patient’s own immune system resulting in tumour specific polyclonal IgG responses simultaneously with the generation and activation of tumour specific cytotoxic T cells. The responses are reversible and boostable, thus allowing fine-tuning of the clinical responses on a patient to patient basis. S-TIR™ vaccines in contrast to the current checkpoint inhibitors do not induce autoimmune disease and are tumours specific

Biography:

Dr. Geert C. Mudde received a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Utrecht in 1985 and started his international professional career at the Swiss Institute for Asthma and Allergy Research in Davos in 1989. In 1992 he joined the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, where he held several senior management positions at the Novartis Research Institute in Vienna, Austria, the Parke Davis Research Institute in Fresnes, France, Ingenium Pharmaceuticals, Martinsried, Germany, and at igeneon AG, Vienna, Austria. Finally, in 2006, while joining Baxter BioScience in Vienna as interim manager, Dr. Mudde co-founded the biotech company f-star Biotechnology, where he served as “Chief Scientific Officer” from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, together with Christof Langer, he started to develop the S-TIR™ technology platform for human specific therapeutic vaccines which led to the foundation of S-TARget therapeutics GmbH in 2010. Since then he serves as CSO and managing director for S-TARget therapeutics as well as for the S-TIR™ technology spin-off companies OncoQR ML GmbH and TYG oncology Ltd., which were both founded in 2013.

Title: Beam Quality Measurement and Verification in Radiation Therapy

Abstract:

The aim of all radiotherapy treatment is to precisely deliver a prescribed dose of radiation to a tumour volume while simultaneously sparing the organs at risk (OARs) surrounding this tumour. Radiation therapy has evolved and the method of radiation generation varies, ranging from the controlled emission of gamma rays from a Cobalt 60 source to the production of particles such as; photons, electrons and protons produced in linear accelerators. The high energy photons employed during tumour treatment can interact with components of the gantry such as lead jaws, and produce particles that may contaminate the treatment beam. These contaminants are produced through various interactions with the photons and the absorbing medium such as; Compton Interaction, Photoelectric Effect and Pair Production. Photons have more penetrating power than charged particles of similar energy, and as they traverse a medium there is energy transformation to electron energy(1). The prospect of an interaction per unit distance travelled is denoted by the principle N= N0e-μx, where µ is dependent on the energy of the photon and the materials through which it travels(2).
The aim of this paper is to conduct beam quality measurements and verification for treatment plan quality assurance in radiation therapy. An IBA Pharma type ion chamber (FC65-G) and electrometer (IBA Dose 2) were used to obtain ionization charges for an 18MV and a 6MV photon beam from a C-Series linear accelerator. These measurements were taken using a 1D water phantom, dimensions 40cm* 35cm*34.5 cm at a source to detector distance (SDD) of 100cm with the chamber 10cm beneath the water surface. The “K” (quality conversion factor) was calculated using the TPR20, 10 method. Two sets of measurements were taken at a depth of 20 cm and 10 cm beneath the water surface at a source to detector distance of 100cm. Three measurements were taken for both photon energies at polarities of +300, -300 and +100 on the electrometer. Ka values were calculated using the TPR20, 10 principles outlined in the TRS 135 protocol. The Ka value for the 6MV photon was determined to be 0.996 Gy while that for the 18MV was 0.973 Gy. These Ka values were then used to determine the tabulated percentage depth dose (PDD) for the photon energies. The tabulated PDD’s were 0.665 and 0.788 for the 6MV and 18MV beam respectively. From equation 2, Dw (10cm) for 6MV photon was calculated to be 0.68 Gy and that for the 18 MV photon was 0.81 Gy. The absorbed dose of the treatment unit at Dmax (Eq. 3) was calculated to be; (18MV) 1.03 Gy and (6MV) 1.03 Gy.
Due to the complexity of photon production and interactions and the need to precisely treat a tumour volume, it can be concluded that beam quality verification should be conducted on a daily basis before treatment of patients.

Biography:

Barrington Brevitt is a PhD candidate at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica doing research in Applied Physics. He is also pursuing a Post Graduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning. He currently possesses a Diploma in Sports Therapy, BSc in Diagnostic Imaging and an MSc in Medical Physics.

Title: Breast cancer risk factors, prevention and patients empowerment

Abstract:

Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women worldwide in 2018, contributing 25.4% of the total number of cases diagnosed.
Evidence says that less than 10% (between 6% and 7%) of the total is due to genetic missfailiures. Some mutations, particularly in BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 might induce an increase of breast cancer. However, these mutations are rare and account for a small portion of the total breast cancer burden. 
Risk factors: Lifestyle is also determinant when it comes to cancer. Several researches have proven that unhealty diets, obesity, smoking, alchool intake and a sedentary life style might translate in an increase of all types of cancer risk, including breast cancer 
Breast cancer prevention: According to reserch there are several things that patients can do to prevent all types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Patient empowerment: Research has shown that a healthy lifestyle increases chances to overcome breast cancer. Passing this information on to patients is crucial for them to take an active part in their illness and improve their quality of live as well as their chances to recover health.

Biography:

Miriam Alguero Josa is President and founder of the Spanish and Latinamerica Integrative Oncology Society. She lost both of her parents to cancer and it was when her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor that she discovered that there were several things patients could do to improve their quality of life and to increase their chances of getting over cancer. She graduated with a major on Comunication Science at University and, after her mother passed away due to a GB, she changed her life 180 degrees to devote herself probono to improve the life of cancer patients. Six years after founding the Integrative Oncology Society she founded Avivate, an on-line school for cancer patients where they can learn all they can do to improve their quality of life.

Title: Robotic surgery: is it better for Reproductive Surgery and Gynecological Oncology?

Abstract:

In recent years, surgical practice has been changed since the introduction of minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery have significant advantages compared with laparotomy. Robotic technology has helped surgeons overcome many technical difficulties of conventional laparoscopic surgery. Robotics are feasible in the treatment of benign gynecologic conditions including endometriosis and uterine fibromatosis. Feasibility is also proven for endometrial cancer along with a short learning curve. Evidence suggests longer operative times compared to laparotomy, but similar or shorter than laparoscopy. Robot dogging time increases the global length of the procedure, but it decreases with experience. The overall morbidity rate seems lower than with other approaches. Hospital stay, postoperative pain and time to recovery are decreased when compared to laparotomy as well as to laparoscopy for some authors. Robotics may offer significant advantages in the treatment of morbidly obese patients who represent the vast majority of endometrial cancer patients. Furthermore, robotics are a real challenge in the treatment of pelvic endometriosis in which, surgery by laparoscopy often becomes extremely demanding and time consuming. Robotic techniques have benefits over traditional open surgery for management of endometrial cancer, especially in the group of obese patients for whom laparoscopy presents significant limitations. The main limit for the diffusion of robotic surgery is accessibility because of its important cost, although the new systems including Da Vinci Xi are much more beneficial for a more anatomic and accurate surgery, essential in reproductive surgery and oncology.

Biography:

Doctor Ioannis G. Papanikolaou is born in Athens. In 2009 he graduates in Medicine with Excellent votation - Medical Degree (MD). During his University studies he is distinguished with 6 University Scholarships from the ‘‘ADSU Foundation’’. Afterwards, he returns in Athens, being selected from the Faculty for a 2 years Postgraduate Programme, which confers the title of Master of Science in ‘‘Robotic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Telesurgery’’, in the University of Athens, Medical School in Greece. Doctor Ioannis G. Papanikolaou is specialized in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Currently, he works as an Obstetrics & Gyaecology specialist in the Humanitas Fertility Center in Humanitas University and Research Hospital in Milan. His academic and clinical enrollment regards mainly Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility and Gynaecological Endoscopy. He currently works in Humanitas University and Research Hospital in Milan in the position of European Fellow in Reproductive Medicine.