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Oncologic

Latest Innovations
Imaging Agents for Hypoxia Detection Dr. Chan from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new molecular probe for detection and photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging of hypoxia. This... Read More Dr. Chan from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new molecular probe for detection and photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging of hypoxia. This probe is useful for in vivo and in vitro imaging. Using photoacoustic imaging, this probe can be used to detect hypoxia at depths up to 7 cm. Dr. Chan’s molecular probe allows for rapid detection and imaging of hypoxia. This detection and imaging is not invasive like an oxygen-sensitive electrode, does not rely on DNA or gene expression like other hypoxia probes, and does not involve ionizing radiation like PET. The development of handheld photoacoustic imaging instruments will allow for hypoxia imaging to occur in the doctor’s office.
Small Molecules With Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a series of topoisomerase inhibiting small molecules... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a series of topoisomerase inhibiting small molecules with anticancer activity. These molecules possess comparable activity and selectivity to doxorubicin, a common cancer chemotherapy drug, across a range of cancer cell lines. These small molecules are a promising alternative to cardiotoxicity producing doxorubicin as a cancer chemotherapy drug. These molecules are also useful as broad-spectrum antibiotics capable of treating resistant bacteria strains (minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.5 micrograms/mL for S. aureus and E. coli).
Identification of Methylated Proteins by use of Nanopores for Early Disease Detection While nanopore sequencers available in the DNA sequencing industry are capable of detecting the presence of proteins in DNA strands, they are currently unable to identify... Read More While nanopore sequencers available in the DNA sequencing industry are capable of detecting the presence of proteins in DNA strands, they are currently unable to identify specific proteins that are present. To solve this, Professor Leburton has developed a matched filter algorithm to classify particular epigenetic markers. The algorithm’s novel sensor technology detects and maps regions of hyper- and hypo-methylations across the genome using genetic markers. By calculating electrical current signatures of proteins and comparing them to other current signatures, it identifies the type of protein that exists on the DNA strand. The technology, which can be implemented onto existing hardware, is programmable to identify any protein. Integrating a sensor with signal processing architectures could pave the way to developing a multipurpose technology for early disease detection.
In vivo Active Inhibitors of FOXM1 for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) constitutes about 10-20% of all diagnosed breast cancers and is known to be more aggressive and difficult to treat. TNBC lacks the... Read More Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) constitutes about 10-20% of all diagnosed breast cancers and is known to be more aggressive and difficult to treat. TNBC lacks the three most common types of receptors: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 receptor. There is a great need to find therapies targeted against TNBC due to the challenge it presents. The transcription factor, FOXM1, is implicated in several types of cancers including breast – its inhibition affects many important downstream targets essential in cancer. However, there are no effective compounds with in vivo activity against FOXM1. A group of investigators from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, led by Dr. John Katzenellenbogen, have developed novel FOXM1 inhibitors that have shown activity against cancer and may be a potential therapeutic for TNBC. They first developed a fluorescent probe for screening FOXM1 inhibitors and, furthermore, synthesized novel compounds that have demonstrated good bioavailability both orally and subcutaneously. Studies in mice have shown suppression of breast tumor growth and inhibition of Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell proliferation.
Dearomative carboamination and its application in synthesis of anticancer agents New synthesis method for isocarbostyril alkaloids based on dearomative carboamination of the benzene ring. This is the shortest and most efficient method known to date,... Read More New synthesis method for isocarbostyril alkaloids based on dearomative carboamination of the benzene ring. This is the shortest and most efficient method known to date, enabling further synthesis of novel derivatives with improved metabolic activity, stability, and aqueous solubility.
Characterizing Glioblastoma Heterogeneity via Single-cell Receptor Quantification Dr. Princess Imoukhuede from University of Illinois has developed a new quantitative receptor measurement approach for examining glioblastomas (GBM) heterogeneity. This... Read More Dr. Princess Imoukhuede from University of Illinois has developed a new quantitative receptor measurement approach for examining glioblastomas (GBM) heterogeneity. This approach is a paradigm shift in single-cell technologies: from gene-centric to proteomics. It provides never-before-seen insight into GBM heterogeneity that will ultimately enable more effective cancer treatment. It is a sensitive, quantitative approach that enables high-throughput measurements.
Isocarbostyril Alkaloids and Functionalization Thereof Dr. Sarlah from the University of Illinois has synthesized novel analogs and isotopologs of the anticancer isocarbostyril alkaloids... Read More Dr. Sarlah from the University of Illinois has synthesized novel analogs and isotopologs of the anticancer isocarbostyril alkaloids lycoricidine and narciclasine. Currently, isocarbostyril alkaloids are low in natural abundance and have poor aqueous solubility. These new synthetic compounds exhibit improved metabolic activity, stability, and/or aqueous solubility. Enantioselective Synthesis of Isocarbostyril Alkaloids and Analogs Using Catalytic Dearomative Functionalization of Benzene. Bingham, et al. Dec 6, 2018.
Digital Methods for Breast Cancer Detection and Distinguishing Different Lesions Prof. Bhargava has developed a digital method for identifying areas of early stage tumor and distinguishing them from benign population in breast cancer lesions. This... Read More Prof. Bhargava has developed a digital method for identifying areas of early stage tumor and distinguishing them from benign population in breast cancer lesions. This highly accurate artificial intelligence method can assist pathologists to interpret biopsies in breast cancer screening, increasing their efficiency and accuracy. About a million breast biopsies are performed in the US, out of which quarter receive a cancer diagnosis. The remaining patient cases are categorized by pathologists according to a diagnostic spectrum ranging from benign to preinvasive diseases which are difficult to classify. Misclassification can contribute to over treatment or undertreatment of lesions causing serious health and financial repercussions. Precise stratification of the lesions will reduce under or over diagnosis and time in breast cancer diagnosis. This digital toolbox will be of interest to both health care clinics for risk stratification and early detection and digital pathology companies as a translatable diagnostic suite.
Early Detection of HPV-Positive and -Negative Head-and-Neck Cancer through Saliva Based Screening Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a non-invasive method for the early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and -... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a non-invasive method for the early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and -negative head and neck cancer using saliva samples. This method has potential research and clinical applications including diagnosis of HPV-positive and -negative head-and-neck cancer. The approach detects several genes characteristic of each type of cancer HNSCC that are commonly detected in head-and-neck cancer. Applications: Diagnosis of HPV-positive and -negative head-and-neck cancer; research applications Benefits: Non-invasive as it only requires saliva from patient Saliva-based screening is quick (i.e., hours) and easy as it uses common laboratory equipment Head-and-neck screening can be completed more than the recommendation of once a year because it is low in cost, fast, and non-invasive. Early detection of HNSCC
A Novel Approach to Personal Cancer Therapy As our understanding of biological systems and human diseases advance, humans are now trying to combat cancer with new development of drugs and therapeutic treatments. An... Read More As our understanding of biological systems and human diseases advance, humans are now trying to combat cancer with new development of drugs and therapeutic treatments. An aspect that scientists are working on is the development of personalized cancer therapies to train our immune system to recognize and target our own cancer cells. The Wang Lab has developed a new personalized cancer therapy. It is a cancer vaccine that makes cancer-cell derived exosomes more effective antigens for targeting specific tumors. This way, we can get a better chance at utilizing these particles to boost our T cells and Dendritic cells to fight against cancer.

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