Ian R. Corbin, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Advanced Imaging Research Center,
Internal Medicine Digestive and Liver Diseases
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
“Lipid Therapy: A Novel Approach to Combating Liver Cancer”
Despite the implementation of surveillance programs for early diagnosis of primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), most patients are currently diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages of the disease for which there are no curative interventions. These patients will either receive transarterial chemoembolization or the molecular targeted therapy, sorafenib. While these therapies have proven to prolong survival for some patients, many fail to receive any benefit due to treatment toxicities, poor liver function or drug resistance. The long-term survival for HCC patients remains poor, with a 5-year survival rates <12%. Novel therapies against HCC are urgently needed as the incidence of HCC is steadily increasing across the United States, particularly in Texas. In recent years regular consumption of the natural omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been implicated in reducing the risk of HCC. The effects of dietary DHA on established solid tumors is nominal. To address this issue, the Corbin lab has recently engineered a novel lipoprotein-based formulation with unesterified DHA. In this seminar Dr. Corbin will highlight the progress and recent findings his research group has made utilizing this unique formulation of natural lipids to combat cancer.
Friday, September 27, 2019, 11:00AM-12:00PM, LIB-110
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas