Written by Lauren Smith
National experts in cancer drug development gathered at a symposium hosted by the UT Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center’s Experimental and Drug Therapeutics Program to discuss new strategies and opportunities in cancer research and tackle pressing challenges in patient care.
The symposium, held Jan. 23 at The University of Texas at San Antonio, provided an opportunity for experts to focus on accelerating the development of next-generation cancer therapies. It is a part of the Mays Cancer Center’s service as a national hub for collaboration in cancer drug development.
Guests included members of the External Advisory Board to the Experimental and Developmental Therapeutics Program and leaders from National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers:
- Mark Evers, MD, FACS, professor of surgery and director of the Lucille P. Markey Cancer Center, where he also serves as physician-in-chief of the oncology service.
- Andrew Chapman, MD, professor and director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and executive vice president for oncology services at Jefferson Health.
- Weijing Sun, MD, FACP, professor of medical oncology and cancer biology and director of the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He also serves as associate director for clinical research at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
- Drew Memmott, associate director for administration at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Advisers shared their unique perspective on drug development and helped guide the Mays Cancer Center in shaping its strategic plan, following the submission of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant renewal application and the merger of UT Health San Antonio and UT San Antonio.
Robert Hromas, MD, dean of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT San Antonio, and Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, executive director of the Mays Cancer Center, kicked off the symposium. Andrew Brenner, MD, PhD, and Manjeet Rao, PhD, co-leaders of the Experimental and Developmental Therapeutics Program, moderated the half-day event.
Daohong Zhou, MD, associate director for drug development at the Mays Cancer Center, delivered the keynote address. Jennifer Sharpe Potter, PhD, MPH, senior executive vice president for research and innovation at UT San Antonio and co-chair of Internal Advisory Committee for the Mays Cancer Center, offered expertise in advancing research through support and collaboration.
Discussions throughout the symposium focused on advancing innovative therapies to improve outcomes for patients facing cancer across South Texas and beyond. Among the speakers was Kai He, MD, PhD, a leading expert in lung cancer immunotherapy and cell therapy from Ohio State University. The event featured additional speakers from the Mays Cancer Center’s Population Science and Prevention Program, Cancer Development and Progression Program, and Experimental and Developmental Therapeutics Program, plus other faculty from UT San Antonio.
The symposium highlighted the importance of bringing together national cancer drug development expertise to South Texas and strengthening regional research and collaboration.