Translational Research in Oncology — Innovations in Model Development

To develop the next generation of targeted cancer therapies, researchers need cancer models that can stand in as true proxies for human disease. Traditional research models commonly used in commercial applications have a place in screening and can provide directional information about potential therapeutic responses. However, they do not replicate the heterogenous biology and complex network of dysregulated pathways that characterize real-life human tumors. In fact, most models used in preclinical drug development fail to address the importance of tumor microenvironment, despite its well-established role in druggability and immune response. Translational research in oncology can greatly benefit from improvements to these models.

Innovative approaches to model development can address many shortcomings of legacy models. What’s more, both in vitro and in vivo test systems can now be customized to account for the myriad of clinical scenarios (prior treatment, radiotherapy, acquired resistance, metastases) that may ultimately determine clinical response to a given experimental therapy.

Translational research success is largely dependent upon selecting — or sometimes custom-developing — the most appropriate preclinical model to assess a candidate’s therapeutic response. During this webinar, the featured speakers will review current literature on cell culture, organoids/spheroids and various types of in vivo mouse models and discuss emerging techniques for developing more clinically relevant models of cancer.

Register to learn about the innovations in preclinical model development for translational research in oncology.

Speakers

Jonathan Nakashima, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Certis Oncology Solutions

Dr. Jonathan Nakashima is an accomplished cancer researcher and recognized pioneer in orthotopic cancer model development. As Chief Scientific Officer of Certis Oncology Solutions, he provides thought leadership, scientific guidance and supports the company’s ongoing R&D initiatives. Under a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine fellowship, Dr. Nakashima received his doctorate in molecular and medical pharmacology at UCLA, where he developed genetically engineered and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to study cancers of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Dr. Nakashima has published several scientific posters and papers in cancer research, most notably on the clinical utility of orthotopic patient-derived xenograft (O-PDX) models. He completed his post-doctoral training in the department of neurobiology, where he received a Kirschstein National Research Service Award to study cell interactions in the brain tumor microenvironment.

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Jantzen Sperry, PhD, Senior Director, Scientific Operations, Certis Oncology Solutions

Dr. Jantzen Sperry is a Translational Research Scientist with deep experience innovating models of disease, including inflammation of the central nervous system which contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders, neuro-oncology (brain tumor models) and preclinical animal models of various cancer subtypes. As Sr. Director of Scientific Operations leader at Certis, Dr. Sperry is responsible for advancing the clinical relevance of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro cancer models, as well as the design and execution of translational studies for drug development and personalized medicine. Dr. Sperry has published several impactful scientific papers in cancer research, most notably on modeling glioblastoma multiforme. Dr. Sperry received his doctorate in molecular and medical pharmacology at UCLA, investigating the metabolic-associated alterations and molecular pathways involved in regulating oncogenesis, therapy resistance and metastasis.

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Rajeev Shrimali, PhD, Senior Director, Immuno-Oncology R&D, Certis Oncology Solutions

Dr. Rajeev Shrimali is an accomplished Immunologist and Cancer Immune Therapist, bringing over 20 years of expertise in the field of immuno-oncology (IO). At Certis Oncology, he is developing and validating biomarker-based PDX models across different immune therapeutics including CAR T / NK, immune checkpoint inhibitors and bi-specifics. His expertise includes the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune cell interaction/signaling; a tumor’s immune escape mechanisms; development of immune modulating and cancer targeted combination therapeutics. Dr. Shrimali has held scientific and leadership positions at the National Cancer Institute (NCI/NIH), MD Anderson Cancer Center and various pharmaceutical companies. His research has been widely recognized in peer-reviewed journals, patents, clinical trials, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals, federal transfer technology awards and scientific speaking engagements. He received a PhD in biochemistry from ICMR, Mumbai University, India in 2003.

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