Name: Palma Rocchi

Prostate Cancer Group Leader

Department: Molecular Oncology Department, Marseille Cancerology Research Center

University: Aix-Marseille University

Country: Marseille, France

Biography:

Palma Rocchi received her PhD in 2002 from the Medicine Faculty of Marseille evaluating the molecular mechanisms involved in the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In her three years as post-doctoral fellow in the University of British Columbia Prostate Centre in Dr Gleave's Lab. Palma Rocchi completed her formation by receiving advance training in targeting genes associated with CR and treatment resistance in PC. She developed a drug (OGX-427) using oligonucleotide antisens and siRNA approach able to significantly dose-dependent down-regulate Hsp27 protein expression level. OGX-427 has been patented and obtained an international license by the University of British Columbia and Oncogenex and clinical trials phase II is now in process in Canada and United States to evaluate the effect of OGX-427 in patients with prostate and bladder cancer (http://www.oncogenex.ca/). She has now completed her post-doctoral fellowship and found a position as an independent senior principal investigator in PC translational research at the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. She is now leading a group of ten peoples focusing on translational research leading to improve treatment resistance in PC. Her principal research interest is focused drug discovery for the treatment of CRPC.