The Cancer Drug Testing Unit (CDTU)
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China
Department of Clinical Oncology
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Staffs:
Co-Director:
Vivian Wai Yan LUI, Ph.D. (Molecular Pharmacology, USA)
Co-Principal Investigator of Asian Cancer Study, CUHK
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Oncology, CUHK

Associate Director, State Key Lab. of Oncology in South China:
Anthony Tak-Cheung CHAN, M.D.
Professor & Chairman, Department of Clinical Oncology, CUHK

External Advisor:
Leaf Huang, Ph.D.
Fred N. Eshelman Distinguished Professor, & Chair
Div. of Molecular Pharmaceutics at UNC School of Pharmacy
Director of the Laboratory of Drug Targeting
University of North Carolina, USA

Technical Staffs:
Cecilia PY Lau, M.Phil (HKU)
Crystal S.F. Cheung, M.Phil (CUHK)
Ka Kiu Ho, B.Sc. (USA)

Our Background:

With the generous funding support from the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, a Cancer Drug Testing Unit (CDTU) was established in Department of Clinical Oncology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong in June, 2007. CDTU is an interdisciplinary group of research scientists and physicians working in a state of art environment with a mission to ¡§Enhance the channeling of novel cancer therapeutics and improve cancer patient survival in Asia¡¨. As an integral part of the State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, CDTU conducts high quality preclinical testing and research of novel therapeutics in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Our goal is to lead scientific-based molecular drug testing for novel anti-cancer agents in common Asian cancers. Since its opening, the tailored drug testing research has led to successful completion of 7 molecular drug testing projects for Asian cancers. We are encouraged to see that the CDTU drug testing expertise has already attracted Pharmaceutical interests to conduct novel drug testing in Asian cancers from renowned international pharmaceutical companies. Studies in the unit have led to publications in international cancer research conferences and original research publications. With enthusiasm to achieve our mission, several novel agents are concurrently being tested pre-clinically in the CDTU, as well as clinically in the Clinical Trial Unit* in CUHK in cancer patients in Hong Kong. We embrace our unique opportunity to channel and introduce novel anti-cancer drugs to benefit Asian cancer patients in Asia. We hope that our future development will further enhance the platform for novel anti-cancer drug screening leading to novel treatment strategies in Asian cancer patients.

* the Clinical Trial Unit is also integral part of the State Key Laboratory for Oncology in South China in the Department of Clinical Oncology, CUHK to conduct human clinical trials in China.

Drug Testing Experiences of Our Team Members:

1. Ma BB, Sung F, Tao Q, Poon FF, Lui VW, Yeo W, Chan SL, Chan AT. The preclinical activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor PXD101 (belinostat) in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Invest New Drugs. 2009 Jan 27. (In Press, 2009)
2. Chan AT, Leung SF, Ngan RK, Teo PM, Lau WH, Kwan WH, Hui EP, Yiu HY, Yeo W, Cheung FY, Yu KH, Chiu KW, Chan DT, Mok TS, Yau S, Yuen KT, Mo FK, Lai MM, Ma BB, Kam MK, Leung TW, Johnson PJ, Choi PH, Zee BC. Overall survival after concurrent cisplatin-radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005 Apr 6;97(7):536-9.
3. Chan AT, Hsu MM, Goh BC, Hui EP, Liu TW, Millward MJ, Hong RL, Whang-Peng J, Ma BB, To KF, Mueser M, Amellal N, Lin X, Chang AY. Multicenter, phase II study of cetuximab in combination with carboplatin in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2005 May 20;23(15):3568-76.
4. Chan AT, Tao Q, Robertson KD, Flinn IW, Mann RB, Klencke B, Kwan WH, Leung TW, Johnson PJ, Ambinder RF. Azacitidine induces demethylation of the Epstein-Barr virus genome in tumors. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Apr 15;22(8):1373-81.
5. Chan AT, Teo PM, Ngan RK, Leung TW, Lau WH, Zee B, Leung SF, Cheung FY, Yeo W, Yiu HH, Yu KH, Chiu KW, Chan DT, Mok T, Yuen KT, Mo F, Lai M, Kwan WH, Choi P, Johnson PJ. Concurrent chemotherapy-radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: progression-free survival analysis of a phase III randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Apr 15;20(8):2038-44.
6. Priya Koppikarƒx, Vivian Wai Yan Lui*, Sichuan Xi, Raymond Liu Chai, Elizabeth Nelson, Allison BJ Tobey, and Jennifer Rubin Grandis. Constitutive Activation of STAT5 Contributes to Tumor Growth, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), and Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeting. Clinical Cancer Research (2008) Dec 1;14(23):7682-90. * denotes co-first authorship
7. Mok Shu Kam Tony; CHOI Eve; WONG Sze Chuen Cesar; LEUNG Kam Suet Linda; LUI Philip; TO Ka Fai; LAM Kwok Chi and LUI Wai Yan Vivian. "To overcome T790M associated EGFR TKI resistance by addition of mono-clonal antibodies against HER-1 and/or Her-2 receptors". Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2007) Vol.2 no.8: 508. (Corresponding author)
8. Hui EP, Ma BB, Leung SF, King AD, Mo F, Kam MK, Yu BK, Chiu SK, Kwan WH, Ho R, Chan I, Ahuja AT, Zee BC, Chan AT. Randomized phase II trial of concurrent cisplatin-radiotherapy with or without neoadjuvant docetaxel and cisplatin in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Jan 10;27(2):242-9.
9. Sung FL, Poon TC, Hui EP, Ma BB, Liong E, To KF, Huang DP, Chan AT.Antitumor effect and enhancement of cytotoxic drug activity by cetuximab in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. In Vivo. 2005 Jan-Feb;19(1):237-45.
10. Chan CM, Ma BB, Wong SC, Chan AT.Celecoxib induces dose dependent growth inhibition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines independent of cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Biomed Pharmacother. 2005 Oct;59 Suppl 2:S268-71.
11. Zhang Q, Bhola N, Lui VWY, Siwak DR, Xi S, Thomas SM, Ogagan MJ, Gubish CT, Siegfried JM, Mills GB, Grandis JR. Anti-tumor mechanisms of combined GRPR and EGFR targeting in head and neck cancer. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (2007) April, 6 (4):1414-1424.
12. Vivian Wai Yan Lui, Amanda L. Boehm, Priya Koppikar, Rebecca J. Leeman, Daniel Johnson, Michelene Ogagan, Erin Childs, Maria Freilino and Jennifer Rubin Grandis. Antiproliferative Mechanisms of a Transcription Factor Decoy Targeting STAT3: the Role of STAT1. Molecular Pharmacology (2007) May;71(5):1435-43.
13. Lui VWY, Wentzel AL, Xiao D, Lew KL, Singh SV, Grandis JR. Requirment of a carbon spacer in benzyl isothiocynate-mediated cytotoxicity and MAPK activation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Carcinogenesis. (2003) Oct; 24(10):1705-12.
14. Niwa H, Wentzel AL, Li M, Gooding WE, Lui VWY, Grandis JR. Antitumor effects of Epidermal growth factor receptor antisense oligonucleotides in combination with docetaxel in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Clin Cancer Res. (2003) Oct 15; 9(13): 5028-5035.
15. Lui VWY, He YK, Falo L, Huang L. Systemic administration of naked DNA encoding IL-12 for the treatment of HPV-16 DNA positive tumor. Human Gene Therapy (2002) 13 (2): 177-185.
16. Lui VWY, He YK, Goyal K, Huang L. Specific down-regulation of HER-2 mediated by a chimeric U6 hammerhead ribozyme resulting in growth inhibition of human ovarian carcinoma. Molecular Therapy (2001) 3(2):169-177.
17. He YK, Lui VWY, Baar J, Wang L, Shurin M, Almonte C, Watkins SC, Huang L. Potentiation of E7 antisense RNA-induced antitumor immunity by co-delivery of IL-12 gene in HPV 16 DNA-positive mouse tumor. Gene Therapy (1998) 5:1462-1471.
18. Dou QP and Lui VWY. Failure to dephosphorylate Retinoblastoma protein in drug-resistance cells. Cancer Research. (1995) 55:5222-5225.

Scientific Conference Abstracts:

1. Lui VWY, Wong EYL, Ho Yeung, Chan AT (2009). Mitogenic dependency of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) cells on c-Met pathway over EGFR pathway. (#4197; American Association for Cancer Research conference 2009, Denver, US)
2. Vivian Wai Yan Lui, Cecilia PY Lau, Margaret H Ng, SH Cheng, Chi Man Tsang, Sai-Wah Tsao, Kenny IK Lei, Anthony TC Chan. Antitumor activity of TAS-106 (3'-ethynylcytidine), a novel potent inhibitor of RNA polymerase, in Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells. (#873, AACR Annual Meeting, Colorado, USA, 2009 April)
3. Brigette Ma, Vivian Wai Yan Lui, Sao Fong Cheung, Cecilia P.Y. Lau, Kakiu Ho, Edwin P. Hui, Margaret H. Ng , S.H. Cheng , S.W. Tsao, Kenny I.K. Lei, Anthony T.C. Chan. The activity of the MEK inhibitor AZD6244 (ARRY-142886) alone and in combination in EBV-positive nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cell lines (# C10, Dec 2008, AACR Infection and Cancer, Hong Kong)
4. Vivian Wai Yan Lui*, Daisy Mei Sze Yau*, Elaine Yue Ling Wong, Sai-Wah Tsao, Chi-Man Tsang2, Anthony TC Chan. STAT3 Targeting is Effective against Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) (#C54, Dec 2008, AACR Infection and Cancer, Hong Kong) (* denotes co-first authorship)
5. Vivian Wai Yan LUI, Elaine Yue Ling WONG, Daisy Mei Sze YAU, Anthony TC CHAN. c-Met targeting inhibits growth and invasion of Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). (AACR, 2008, #4840).
6. Jason H.T. Wong, K. Umezawa, Elaine YL Wong, Anthony T.C. Chan, Margaret H.L. Ng, S.H. Cheng, S.W. Tsao, Anna Hui, Vivian W.Y. Lui (Corresponding author) NF-£eB Targeting by Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) Suppresses Growth and Invasive Migration of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). (AACR, 2008, #3274).
7. Bo Hong1, Vivian W.Y. Lui1, Elaine Y.L. Wong, Edwin P. Hui, Fion L. Sung, Margaret H. Ng, S.H. Cheng, S.W. Tsao, C.M. Tsang, Anthony T.C. Chan. Hypoxia-targeting by Tirapazaminie (TPZ) Induces Preferential Anti-tumor Effects in Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) Under Hypoxia. (AACR, 2008, #5678). * denotes co-first authorship
8. Brigette Ma, Vivian W.Y. Lui, Cecilia P.Y. Lau, Kakiu Ho, Daisy M.S. Yau, S. Hardikar, Kenny Lei, Anthony T.C. Chan. The anti-tumor activity of the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) (AACR, 2008, #4915).
9. Gary B. Hong*, Vivian WY Lui*, Elaine Y.L. Wong, Edwin P Hui, Anthony TC Chan. Inhibition of Tumor Growth and Invasion by YC-1 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). (Molecular Targeting and Cancer Therapeutics by AACR, 2007, in San Francisco, USA) * denotes co-first authorship.
10. T. Mok, Eve Choi, K.C. Lam, A. Yim, M. Hsin, L. Leung, K.F. To, Vivian W. Y. Lui*. To Overcome T790M Associated EGFR TKI Resistance by Addition of Mono-clonal Antibodies against HER-1 and/or HER-2 Receptors. (The 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), 2007, Seoul) * denotes corresponding author.
11. Vivian Wai Yan LUI, Elaine Yue Ling WONG, Daisy Mei Sze YAU, Chin Ho CHAN, Jennifer Rubin GRANDIS, Anthony TC CHAN. STAT3 targeting inhibits growth and invasion of Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Proceedings of the American Association of Cancer Research, 2007.
12. Vivian Wai Yan LUI, Elaine Yue Ling WONG, Daisy Mei Sze YAU, Chin Ho CHAN, Anthony TC CHAN. Active c-Met signaling contributes to enhanced metastatic potential of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Proceedings of the American Association of Cancer Research, 2007.
13. Brigette Ma, Vivian Wai Yan LUI, Chin Ho CHAN, Elaine Yue Ling WONG, Edwin P Hui, Sai Wah Tsao, Anthony T C Chan. Attenuated EGFR autocrine signaling potentially predicts gefitinib-sensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Proceedings of the American Association of Cancer Research, 2007.
14. Vivian Wai Yan LUI, Elaine Yue Ling WONG, Daisy Mei Sze YAU, Chin Ho CHAN, Anthony TC CHAN. Active c-Met signaling contributes to enhanced metastatic potential of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Croucher Advance Study Institute, Molecular Genetics and Cell Signaling in Cancer and Cancer Metastasis: University of Hong Kong, 2007.