Dionysios (Dennis) C. Watson, MD, PhD

Dr. Dionysios (Dennis) Watson is a physician-scientist dedicated to identifying fundamental therapeutic vulnerabilities in the tumor microenvironment. He is launching his independent research laboratory as an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami on February 26, where he will continue his research in targeting metabolic and immune interactions in glioblastoma and other cancers.

After completing medical school in Greece, Dennis undertook PhD training in immunotherapy development at the National Cancer Institute. His work there spanned the translational spectrum, and included developing exosomes for cytokine delivery, conducting translational studies in non-human primates, and co-leading a Phase I clinical trial of heterodimeric interleukin-15. He subsequently moved to Case Western Reserve University for his residency and Medical Oncology fellowship. During his fellowship, he investigated the physical connections of glioblastoma with the brain, and he discovered that astrocytes drive the aggressiveness of glioblastoma by donating their mitochondria.

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OBJECTIVES

• Summarize the experimental evidence that glioblastoma forms an inter-connected network with the brain
• Criticize the experimental data suggesting that transfer of astrocyte mitochondria to glioblastoma enhances tumorigenicity
• Evaluate the potential approaches for discovering drug targets for blocking protumorigenic mitochondria transfer in glioblastoma

FACULTY DISCLOSURE:
Dr. Watson has indicated that he has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests.

PLANNING COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE:

Dr. Lekakis has indicated that he has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests.

TARGET AUDIENCE:
Faculty, Primary Care Physicians, APRNs, PharmD

ACCREDITATION:
The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION:
The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.