Allied Journal of Medical Research
|
Volume 2
Page 37
Note:
allied
academies
CANCER THERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
NEUROLOGY AND BRAIN DISORDERS
&
International Conference on
International Conference on
J u n e 2 1 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 8 | O s a k a , J a p a n
Joint Event on
EXPLORATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC
POTENTIAL OF SEMAPHORIN 5A IN
HUMAN GLIOBLASTOMAS
Lee AY, Menon A, Ann Mary B, Shah Jahan FR
and
Law JW
Monash University, Malaysia
A
strocytomas are the most common form of brain tumor in human,
among which glioblastoma mutliforme is highly malignant and
exhibits high invasiveness and resistance to radiotherapy, leading to high
recurrence rate even after radical surgical resection of the tumor and
short survival after initial diagnosis. This calls for development of novel
effective treatment regimens, which apparently requires a more thorough
understanding of the pathoetiology at both cellular and molecular levels.
Recently, accumulating evidence points to the emerging role of axon
guidance molecules such as semaphorins, neuropilins and plexins in
glioma progression. We have previously demonstrated the effects of
semaphorin 5A (Sema5A) and its receptor plexin-B3 in inhibiting glioma
cell migration, invasion and proliferation. Notably, analysis of human
glioblastoma specimens revealed a marked decline in Sema5A protein
level from low to high grade, suggesting a correlation between its loss
of function and tumor progression. Restoration of Sema5A level by
forced expression or exogenous supply of Sema5A protein in advanced
grade glioblastomas successfully counteracts tumorigenicity of cancer
cells. These findings provide compelling evidence that Sema5A and
plexin-B3 subserve anti-tumorigenic functions, which are compromised
in glioblastomas due to a downregulation of Sema5A protein expression,
hence contributing to high infiltration andmalignancy. In this presentation,
the mechanisms of tumor suppressor effect of Sema5A and the
exploration of its therapeutic potential will be discussed.
Lee AY obtained his PhD from the University
of Hong Kong. He is currently a senior lecture
at the School of Pharmacy, Monash University
Malaysia. Current focus of his research is to un-
derstand the functions of axon guidance mole-
cules semaphorins and plexins in cell migration
and invasion, axon navigation, cellular differen-
tiation, neuronal regeneration and brain tumor
development. His research team has recently
revealed the tumor suppressor functions of
semaphorin 5A in human glioblastomas and is
currently exploring its therapeutic potential. He
has published his research findings in leading
journals in neurosciences and cancer biology,
and has served as editorial board member and
reviewer in reputable journals.
alan.lee@monash.eduBIOGRAPHY
Lee AY et al., Allied J Med Res 2018, Volume 2