Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital

Hallym University Medical Center (HUMC) successfully hosted ‘The 7th Hallym-Uppsala International Symposium’ under the theme of ‘Current Status and Future Perspectives of Immunotherapy for Malignant Diseases,’ at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital on October 20, 2015.

Among the Uppsala dignitaries at the symposium included Uppsala University President Ava Akesson, Dean Emeritus Kjell Oberg, Dr. Magnus Essand, Professor of Gene Therapy, Dr. Anna Dimberg, Associate Professor of Experimental Pathology, Dr. Gustav Ullenhag, Associate Professor of Oncology, and Dr. Alex Karlsson-Parra, Adjunct Professor of Clinical Immunology.

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Dai-Won Yoon, Chairman of Board of Trustees at Hallym University and Hallym University Memdical Center said, “Since the introduction of chemotherapy for cancer treatment in the early 20th century, considerable efforts have been made to maximize drug efficiency and minimize side effects. However, it is no exaggeration to say that immunotherapy has the potential to treat all types of cancers and has already led to major treatment breakthroughs for a number of cancers. Unfortunately here in Korea, immunotherapy is one of the unexplored fields. That's why we have little experts in this area. But it is my sincere hope that through this meaningful symposium with Uppsala University's world-renowned scholars in immunotherapy, we at Hallym University Medical Center would like to learn immunotherapy for and develop this into one of our specialized fields in the future.”

On the same day, Dr. Magnus Essand, Professor of Gene Therapy, and Dr. Gustav Ullenhag, Associate Professor of Oncology gave an interview to The JoongAng Ilbo, one of the leading dailies in Korea. Dr. Essand addressed how viruses and T cells can be engineered to reduce immunosuppression in tumors. Dr. Ullenghag presented the results of academic translational clinical studies in malignant melanoma patients.

Since its foundation in 1477, Uppsala University has been playing a crucial role in the area of basic and clinical medicine in Northern Europe. With this year being the 7th, Hallym University and Uppsala University have collaborated on a series of annual symposiums to address the latest issues in medicine. Hallym also has been working closely with Uppsala in faculty and student exchanges.

The specific programs of the symposium including speakers and topics are as follows:

■ Special Lecture

Current concepts in diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors

(Kjell Öberg, MD, PhD, Professor of Endocrine Oncology, Uppsala University Hospital)

■ Session 1

1. Peptide-based antibody production for immunotherapy>

(Hyung-Joo Kwon, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Hallym University College of Medicine)

2. Immunotherapy of cancer using engineered viruses and T-cell

(Magnus Essand, PhD, Professor of Gene Therapy, Dept. of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology Uppsala University)

3. Novel therapeutic strategies including immunotherapy for gastrointestinal malignancies

(Dae Young Zang, MD, PhD, Professor, Div. of Hematology-Oncology, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital)

■ Session 2

1. Vascular targeting to improve cancer immunotherapy

(Anna Dimberg, PhD, Associate Professor of Experimental Pathology, Dept. of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University)

2. Solid tumor-penetrating antibody for more potent anti-cancer antibody

(Yong-Sung Kim, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Molecular Science and Technology, Dept. of Applied Chemistry & Biological Engineering, Ajou University)

3. Pre-activated allogeneic dendritic cells as immune enhancers in therapeutic cancer vaccination

(Alex Karlsson-Parra, MD, PhD, Adjunct Professor in Clinical Immunology, Dept. of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University)

■ Session 3

1. Immunotherapy in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors

(Joo Young Jung, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Div. of Hematology-Oncology, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital)

2. Immunotherapy against malignant melanoma

(Gustav Ullenhag, MD, PhD, Associate Professor and Consultant in Oncology, Dept. of Oncology, Uppsala University & Uppsala University Hospital)

3. Biomarkers issues in immuno-oncology: What a successful revolution! What’s next?

(Dae Ho Lee, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Dept. of Oncology, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center)