Researchers at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) found that components of traditional Chinese medicine Danshen help reduce high blood pressure as an adverse effect of cancer drugs, thereby enhancing the treatment effect. The research team is striving to find the best extract of Danshen and its effect on concurrent treatment with Western medicine. The research findings are expected to provide much stronger support for combined Chinese and Western medical treatment of cancer and give hope to cancer patients in dealing with the side effects of Western medicine.
The Western drug Bevacizumab (Bev) is used as first-line treatment of colorectal and lung cancer by inhibiting angiogenesis. However, hypertension is a common adverse effect of Bev. Existing antihypertensive drugs show efficacy in controlling Bev-induced hypertension but inhibit Bev's anti-angiogenic effect, thus decreasing the therapeutic efficacy. There are still no evidence-based guidelines on the treatment of Bev-induced hypertension.
Recent research led by Dr Emily Wong, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Science in HKMU's School of Science and Technology and Programme Leader of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, found that Danshensu, the active component in Danshen, can lower blood pressure without affecting the therapeutic efficacy of Bev. In clinical applications, Danshen is often used by Chinese medicine practitioners to treat cardiovascular diseases. Recently, an aqueous extract of Danshen was reported to have properties similar to those of Bev, but also inhibits angiogenesis and enhances the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Dr Wong's team also discovered that the extraction methods of Danshen's components, such as decoction extraction, aqueous extraction and solvent extraction, may have different therapeutic effects on cancer and reducing blood pressure.
In addition to her teaching and research roles, Dr Wong is a registered Chinese medicine practitioner with a PhD in Pharmacology and Pharmacy. Her teaching and research interests include Chinese medicine, pharmacology, cancer treatment and vascular biology, focusing on combined Chinese and Western medications. Dr Wong is currently investigating the best extract of Danshen and its effect on concurrent treatment with Western medicine. The research is expected to significantly enhance the clinical application of the cancer drug Bev.
The research is a collaboration project between HKMU and the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. It received over HK$1.3 million in funding in the latest round of Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector of the Research Grants Council in recognition of its achievements and impact.
Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.
After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.
Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.
The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.
Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.
Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP S321F | Advanced Database and Data Warehousing | 5 | |
| COMP S333F | Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms | 5 | |
| COMP S351F | Software Project Management | 5 | |
| COMP S362F | Concurrent and Network Programming | 5 | |
| COMP S363F | Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing | 5 | |
| COMP S382F | Data Mining and Analytics | 5 | |
| COMP S390F | Creative Programming for Games | 5 | |
| COMP S492F | Machine Learning | 5 | |
| ELEC S305F | Computer Networking | 5 | |
| ELEC S348F | IOT Security | 5 | |
| ELEC S371F | Digital Forensics | 5 | |
| ELEC S431F | Blockchain Technologies | 5 | |
| ELEC S425F | Computer and Network Security | 5 |
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEC S201F | Basic Electronics | 5 | |
| IT S290F | Human Computer Interaction & User Experience Design | 5 | |
| STAT S251F | Statistical Data Analysis | 5 |
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPS333F | Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms | 5 | |
| COMPS362F | Concurrent and Network Programming | 5 | |
| COMPS363F | Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing | 5 | |
| COMPS380F | Web Applications: Design and Development | 5 | |
| COMPS381F | Server-side Technologies and Cloud Computing | 5 | |
| COMPS382F | Data Mining and Analytics | 5 | |
| COMPS390F | Creative Programming for Games | 5 | |
| COMPS413F | Application Design and Development for Mobile Devices | 5 | |
| COMPS492F | Machine Learning | 5 | |
| ELECS305F | Computer Networking | 5 | |
| ELECS363F | Advanced Computer Design | 5 | |
| ELECS425F | Computer and Network Security | 5 |
