NATMA
CME  A Role Model of Physician Scientist 



Tzyy Choou (T-C) Wu, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine


Primary Appointment in Pathology; Secondary Appointments in Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Joint Appointment in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (BSPH)
Member, Graduate Program in Immunology; Member, Graduate Program in Pathobiology; Member, Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (BSPH)

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Each year, approximately 500,000 women worldwide develop cervical cancer and 200,000 women die from this cancer. We are currently developing vaccines and immunotherapeutic strategies for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervicalcancer and are running a molecular diagnostic lab for the diagnosis of HPVinfection.

My research focus has been in the area of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine development. I have created a unique preclinical murine tumor model that expresses HPV-16 oncogenic proteins, E6 and E7, and simulates specific molecular events in the progression of HPV+ precancerous lesions(CIN 3) to invasive cancer. This preclinical tumor model has been widely used and tested by researchers worldwide for HPV vaccine development. I have focused on identifying vaccine and immunotherapeutic approaches to enhance antigen processing and presentation by dendritic cells, including intracellular targeting and intercellular spreading strategies, for the purpose of prevention and treatment of cervical lesions and cancers. Intracellular targeting directs antigen to different subcellular locations to enhance antigen processing and presentation. Meanwhile, intercellularspreading facilitates the distribution of antigen to neighboring cells by taking advantage of unique intercellular transport properties, allowing for an increase in the amount of antigen presented to effector cells. Recently, I have created an innovative approach that combines both antigen-specific immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis to treat HPV E7-expressing tumors. The continued development of these strategies will facilitate the development of vaccines that generate a potent immune response and antitumor effect against cervical cancer. I am also actively involved with investigating mechanisms of immune evasion of tumors, identifying new tumor-specific antigens, and applying vaccine strategies to other cancer systems with tumor-specific antigens.

Tom F. Lue, M.D.

Urologist

Dr. Tom Lue is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction at UCSF Medical Center. In 1983, he was one of the first urologists in the country to offer penile injection for erectile dysfunction. His research team proved that a new class of compound enhances erection in animals, which led to three medications — Viagra, Levitra and Cialis, the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction. Lue and his associates also developed the first animal model to study Peyronie's disease and introduced colchicine for treatment.

Lue is vice chair of urology, medical director of the Knuppe Molecular Urology Laboratory and a professor of urology at UCSF. He graduated with highest honors from the Kaohsiung Medical College in Taiwan, completed urologic training at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. and was awarded the Valentine Fellowship from the New York Academy of Medicine to study the neurophysiology of the genitourinary tract at UCSF. He has won numerous awards, including the American Urological Association's Gold Cystoscope award and American Foundation of Urologic Disease's "Most Innovative Research Award." Lue has authored or co-authored more than 380 publications and 12 books on male sexual dysfunction.