7:40 am Registration
Assessing Different Biomarker Data to Establish Marker Validity & Inform Future Directions for Biomarker Development
8:40 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
8:45 am Exploring the Prognostic Role of Circulating Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Biomarkers in Solid Tumors
Synopsis
• Outlining the cancer- ECM turnover relationship
• Exploring ECM modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment
• Associating the relationship between higher circulating ECM biomarkers
9:15 am Exploration of NKT Cell Activation as an Immune Biomarker for Progression of Fibrosis
Synopsis
• Focusing on inflammatory pathways promoting fibrosis
• iNKT cell activation as an upstream key pathway impacting type 1, type 2 and type 3 cytokine pathway in fibrosis
• iNKT cell involvement in experimental models of liver and lung fibrosis as well as their activation in progression of fibrosis in NASH & IPF patients
9:45 am Speed Networking
Synopsis
This session is the perfect opportunity to get face-to-face time with the key opinion leaders in antifibrotic drug development. Establish meaningful connections to build upon for the rest of the conference and gain individual insight into the pioneering research and therapeutic development in the space.
10:15 am Morning Break
10:45 am Roundtable Discussions: Splitting into diverse, cross-disciplinary groups, crowdsource and troubleshoot answers to biomarker rationale all fibrosis experts are navigating. Discuss: How can we Create More Predictive Biomarkers? Exploring Better Modelling of Disease Pathology, Imaging Sensitivity & AI to Quantify Fibrosis
Synopsis
• Updating Biomarker Design to Reflect the Interplay of Inflammation & Fibrosis so Biomarkers More Accurately Mirror Fibrosis
• Improving Accurate Assessment of Fibrosis via Imaging: Monitoring Fibrosis Change & Improving Sensitivity
• Harnessing Digital Pathology with Artificial Intelligence as a Novel Methodology for Quantitative Assessment of Fibrosis
11:15 am ECM Remodeling is the Key Common Denominator in all Fibrotic Diseases: Serological Quantification of Fibrogenesis and Fibrosis Resolution Separately Reveals Treatable Endotypes
Synopsis
• Establishing that fibrosis may develop from both excessive tissue formation and
decreased degradation and organ failure as a consequence of collagen accumulation
• Identifying different treatable endotypes in fibrotic disease
• Exploring that some collagens are needed for specialized cell function, while others are
dangerous
11:45 am Panel Discussion: Reviewing Biomarkers Discussed in the Context of Fibrosis & Oncology
Synopsis
• Highlighting promising new avenues for evaluating fibrosis staging in vivo, in vitro and in patient
• Reviewing the advantages and pitfalls of fluid markers vs imaging for fibrosis diagnostics
• Illuminating similarities and differences in biomarkers across fibrotic disease and tumor fibrosis
12:15 pm Lunch & Networking
Exploring Cutting-Edge in vitro Models to Better Recapitulate Fibrotic Diseases for More Confident Translation to Clinic
1:15 pm Modelling Lung Fibrosis with Human Precision-Cut Lung Slices (PCLS)
Synopsis
• Introduction to PCLS: an overview of PCLS as an ex vivo model for studying lung fibrosis
• Modelling lung fibrosis with PCLS: methodologies employed to induce and study lung fibrosis using PCLS, along with key findings obtained
• Review insights and therapeutic implications
1:45 pm Dynamic Fibrogenesis in Human Precision Cut Tissue Slices: An Unrivalled Preclinical Platform for Target Identification and Testing of Novel Therapies
Synopsis
• Human precision cut tissue slices (PCS) retain the cellular complexity and architecture
of the native tissue in culture.
• Utilizing established, dynamic models of tissue inflammation and fibrogenesis for drug
testing, target engagement and assessment of tissue viability in PCS
• Engineering PCS for pre-clinical investigations of the tumour microenvironment
2:15 pm Maximising the Use of in vitro Models Through Single Cell Profiling
Synopsis
• Using a systems biology approach to map signalling pathway responses in lung epithelial tissues
• Building a high-resolution functional genomics dataset linking IPF GWAS and downstream biological mechanisms
• Understanding how gene-environment interactions drive failed remodelling and consequent fibrosis in IPF
2:45 pm Afternoon Break & Poster Session
Synopsis
Connect with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere and continue to forge new and existing relationships, while exploring the latest antifibrotic drug development and research advancements.
To submit a poster or to find out more, contact info@hansonwade.com
3:45 pm Liver Fibrosis Models: Closing the Gap Between Pre-Clinical Efficacy Testing & Human Trials
Synopsis
• Understanding the fundamental gap between preclinical models and clinical trials settings
• Closing the translational gap: betterment of animal models, improving pre-clinical endpoints and study design
• Assessing associations of drug candidate with disease severity, duration and outcome
4:15 pm Session Reserved for Newcells Biotech
4:25 pm Panel Discussion: Reviewing the Validity & Reproducibility of Preclinical Models to Quantify Fibrosis & Translate Learnings from Preclinical Research to Clinical Study
Synopsis
• Determining which preclinical models are more relevant to the human pathology to confirm viable therapeutic strategies that are translatable to humans
• Evaluating to what degree new in vitro techniques are beneficial to bleomycin models
• Assess associations of drug candidate with disease severity and outcome