City of Hope Experts Share New Frontiers in Cancer Research at NTTU

New research directions aimed at solving the problems of drug resistance and cancer recurrence were shared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong, Assistant Professor at City of Hope Biomedical Research Center, USA, during a scientific seminar organized by the Department of Biotechnology – Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

The program opened up opportunities for lecturers, researchers, trainees, and students to access research topics of prominent interest in modern biomedicine.

Recently, at the 331 Do Muoi campus, the Department of Biotechnology – Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, organized a scientific seminar themed “Recent Advances and Emerging Trends in Cancer Research.”

The program featured a presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong – Assistant Professor at City of Hope Biomedical Research Center, USA. The seminar attracted widespread interest from numerous lecturers, researchers, postgraduate students, and undergraduates across various specialized fields.

Attending the program were Dr. Nguyen Thi Nha – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thai Hoang – Head of the Department of Biotechnology; Dr. Vu Quang Hieu – Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Bui Thi Viet – Head of the Department of Educational Technology, along with lecturers, trainees, and students from Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and related fields.

The seminar was organized to facilitate learners and the research team at NTTU in accessing new scientific achievements in the fields of oncology and biomedical biotechnology, while simultaneously promoting academic exchange and expanding opportunities for research connection with domestic and international scientists.

The seminar attracts great attention from numerous lecturers, researchers, postgraduate students, and undergraduates in the fields of Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering

From the Problem of Drug Resistance to the Cancer Stem Cell Approach

In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong introduced several research directions currently being implemented at City of Hope to find solutions for drug resistance and recurrence – major challenges in cancer treatment today.

The speaker noted that one of the prominent approaches is researching targets on Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). This is considered a subpopulation of cells capable of self-renewal, sustaining tumor growth, and potentially correlating with the risk of recurrence or reduced therapeutic response in certain types of cancer.

Through concrete research examples, the speaker helped attendees better understand the process of developing a new treatment approach – from identifying therapeutic targets in the laboratory and studying them in preclinical models to the initial evaluation steps in clinical trials.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong presents new research directions to find solutions for drug resistance and recurrence in cancer treatment

AOH1996, miRisten, and Noteworthy Research Signals

At the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong introduced two prominent research directions: AOH1996 and miRisten.

Among them, AOH1996 is a compound currently under investigation with a mechanism targeting PCNA – a protein that plays a vital role in the DNA replication and repair processes of cells. This research direction is expected to open up additional options for selectively targeting the growth and survival mechanisms of cancer cells.

In addition, miRisten is being researched with the goal of targeting metabolic mechanisms and the bone marrow microenvironment, thereby undermining the survival capability of leukemia stem cells. Preclinical results suggest that this approach holds potential for research into treating acute myeloid leukemia, particularly in patient groups at risk of relapse or resistance.

The speaker also shared insights regarding the feasibility of combining new research approaches with existing treatment regimens, including Venetoclax. Initial findings open up prospects for further investigation into the synergistic efficacy of combination therapies, especially in treating malignant hematological diseases that poorly respond to conventional treatments.

The contents presented not only provided an updated view on modern cancer research trends but also helped participants clearly identify the bridge between a laboratory discovery and the process of translating research results into clinical application.

NTTU lecturers, researchers, and students actively exchange ideas with the speaker about cancer stem cells, new therapeutic research directions, and development trends in modern oncology

Expanding Academic Space, Connecting International Research at NTTU

The seminar’s atmosphere turned lively during the academic exchange between the speaker and the participants. Numerous in-depth questions from lecturers, researchers, and students were raised regarding the mechanisms of cancer stem cell formation, the application potential of new research avenues, as well as future trends within oncology.

The open, practice-rich insights from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong provided participants with additional perspectives on modern research in biomedicine, biotechnology, and cancer drug development.

In addition to the professional content, the speaker also spent time interacting with students, sharing thoughts on the spirit of learning, scientific research, and international integration. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Xuan Truong encouraged young individuals to proactively pursue their research passions, continuously learn, and boldly conquer significant future goals.

Representatives of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology with the speaker and seminar participants, expanding academic connection and international research collaboration opportunities at NTTU

The speaker also expressed a desire to continue enhancing collaboration with Nguyen Tat Thanh University across educational activities, scientific research, and high-quality human resource development.

The seminar “Recent Advances and Emerging Trends in Cancer Research” not only brought updated knowledge from an international research environment but also contributed to creating a dynamic academic space at Nguyen Tat Thanh University. This was an occasion for lecturers, trainees, and students to broaden their professional horizons, connect with new research paths, and nurture their spirit of scientific discovery in biotechnology and biomedicine.

Cam Nguyen – Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology

Images: Media