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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.edu

BIOGRAPHY

Lee AY et al., Allied J Med Res 2018, Volume 2