WVU Cancer Institute leader participates in Forbeck Forum

Ashkan Emadi, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized physician-scientist and chair of the Department of Medical Oncology at the WVU School of Medicine and WVU Cancer Institute physician-in-chief, recently participated in the Forbeck Forum—an exclusive gathering of top investigators focused on mitochondrial stress and its role in cancer.

Dr. Emadi is one of only a handful of physician-scientists who were selected for this multidisciplinary meeting, which was designed to foster collaboration and advance our understanding of mitochondrial stress pathways in model organisms, cancer biology, and clinical settings.

The recent forum explored critical questions about the function and influence of mitochondrial stress pathways—how they affect longevity, how they operate in model organisms, and how they can be harnessed as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Researchers examined the intricate biology of these pathways, investigating how they defend against stress at the cellular level and how these same mechanisms might be co-opted or disrupted in malignancies. By examining the functions of key components within mitochondrial stress pathways, the group aimed to identify new targets that, when inhibited, could selectively eradicate cancer cells.

Targeting mitochondrial stress has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy, with several agents advancing to clinical trials. Some have demonstrated meaningful efficacy, while others have been limited by toxicity. The forum examined why some therapies succeed while others fail, with the goal of deepening biological insights that could inform future drug development. "This collaborative setting, bringing together cancer biologists, model organism researchers, and clinical trialists, offered a rare opportunity for cross-disciplinary exchange that could spark novel research directions and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with cancer. I was humbled to be included," Emadi said.

Through discussions centered on the biological underpinnings of mitochondrial stress and its impact on tumor survival, the forum aimed to identify which subsets of malignancies—and which patients—may benefit most from therapies that manipulate these pathways. Emadi’s inclusion in this group reflects his leadership in translational cancer research and his ongoing commitment to advancing precision oncology through rigorous science and meaningful collaboration.

--WVU--

ar 4/14/25