Dr Cary N. Robertson is Associate Professor of Urology with Tenure, Department of Urology, specializing in Urologic Oncology. A medical graduate of Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana, he completed surgical internship at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center in 1978 and served in the US Public Health Service National Health Service Corps 1978-1980. He completed surgical training in Urology at Duke University Medical Center in 1985, followed by completion of a Urologic Oncology fellowship at NCI/NIH in 1987. He served as a Senior Investigator, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health 1987-1988 and joined the surgical faculty of Duke University Medical Center, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery in 1988. He is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute having served as Associate Director, Urologic Oncology, specializing in the treatment of genitourinary malignancies. He utilizes robotic techniques in the surgical management of prostate cancer and renal tumors. He has been active in clinical trials of prostate, bladder and renal cancers. As National Coordinating Principal Investigator for the North American ENLIGHT Ablatherm High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Clinical Trial, he pioneered this novel therapy for the management of localized prostate cancer. As Director, Morris Center for Urologic Research, he supports basic research in prostate cancer and other GU malignancies. Combination approaches utilizing HIFU and immunotherapy have been studied in collaboration with the Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering. He has served as Director, Annual Prostate Cancer Screening Clinic 1990 - 2022. He also currently serves as a Staff Physician in Urology, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC. He is past president, North Carolina Urological Association and a member of the Society of Urologic Oncology, American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, Endourological Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Medical Association, North Carolina Medical Association and is a Fellow, American College of Surgeons.
17th August 2025
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12:00
13:00
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A New Era in Precision Diagnosis and Localized Therapy in PCa with Micro-Ultrasound (ExactVu) and Focal One Robotic HIFU
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Tai-Lung ChaTaiwan
Moderator
Novel Target for GU Cancer Metastasis and TherapeuticsCancer progression is shaped by both cell-intrinsic adaptations and complex extrinsic interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we identify a transmembrane protein, Meta1, as a shared therapeutic target that exhibits a Janus-like role: promoting malignant phenotypes in cancer cells while restraining tumor-supportive functions in non-cancerous stromal and immune cells. Meta1 is expressed in both compartments of the TME, orchestrating a dual program that supports metastasis and immune evasion. Mechanistically, we uncovered a malignancy-promoting factor (MPF) that acts as a functional ligand for Meta1, selectively enhancing pro-invasive signaling in cancer cells. We further identify Meta1 as an unconventional G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays as an accelerator in cancer cells of the TME. Meta1 interacts with Rho-GDI and Gαq to activate RhoA-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling and amoeboid migration, facilitating metastatic dissemination. We further identify MPF binding to Meta1 initiates Gβγ signaling, elevating intracellular cAMP and activating Rap1, thereby amplifying cell motility and metastatic potential. Leveraging the Meta1–MPF interaction, we designed MPF-derived peptides that specifically bind Meta1 and serve as the basis for a novel peptide-based PROTAC, which efficiently induces degradation of Meta1 and abrogates its pro-metastatic functions. Our study unveils Meta1 as an atypical GPCR with canonical signaling capacity and topological divergence, representing a shared and targetable vulnerability that bridges cancer cell-intrinsic adaptation with extrinsic TME communication. These findings establish the Meta1–MPF axis as a compelling therapeutic target for suppressing metastasis and reprogramming the TME.
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Tai-Lung ChaTaiwan
Moderator
Novel Target for GU Cancer Metastasis and TherapeuticsCancer progression is shaped by both cell-intrinsic adaptations and complex extrinsic interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we identify a transmembrane protein, Meta1, as a shared therapeutic target that exhibits a Janus-like role: promoting malignant phenotypes in cancer cells while restraining tumor-supportive functions in non-cancerous stromal and immune cells. Meta1 is expressed in both compartments of the TME, orchestrating a dual program that supports metastasis and immune evasion. Mechanistically, we uncovered a malignancy-promoting factor (MPF) that acts as a functional ligand for Meta1, selectively enhancing pro-invasive signaling in cancer cells. We further identify Meta1 as an unconventional G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays as an accelerator in cancer cells of the TME. Meta1 interacts with Rho-GDI and Gαq to activate RhoA-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling and amoeboid migration, facilitating metastatic dissemination. We further identify MPF binding to Meta1 initiates Gβγ signaling, elevating intracellular cAMP and activating Rap1, thereby amplifying cell motility and metastatic potential. Leveraging the Meta1–MPF interaction, we designed MPF-derived peptides that specifically bind Meta1 and serve as the basis for a novel peptide-based PROTAC, which efficiently induces degradation of Meta1 and abrogates its pro-metastatic functions. Our study unveils Meta1 as an atypical GPCR with canonical signaling capacity and topological divergence, representing a shared and targetable vulnerability that bridges cancer cell-intrinsic adaptation with extrinsic TME communication. These findings establish the Meta1–MPF axis as a compelling therapeutic target for suppressing metastasis and reprogramming the TME.
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Cary Nobles RobertsonUnited States
Speaker
Latest Clinical Data and Operative Technique on Focal One Robotic HIFU Therapy for Prostate CancerThe lecture will cover the latest clinical data and operative advancements in Focal One Robotic High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Focal One marks a significant advancement in minimally invasive, organ-sparing treatment. This technology integrates real-time MRI and ultrasound imaging with robotic precision to deliver highly focused ultrasound energy directly to cancerous prostate tissue—while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy structures.
Tai-Lung ChaTaiwan
Moderator
Novel Target for GU Cancer Metastasis and TherapeuticsCancer progression is shaped by both cell-intrinsic adaptations and complex extrinsic interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we identify a transmembrane protein, Meta1, as a shared therapeutic target that exhibits a Janus-like role: promoting malignant phenotypes in cancer cells while restraining tumor-supportive functions in non-cancerous stromal and immune cells. Meta1 is expressed in both compartments of the TME, orchestrating a dual program that supports metastasis and immune evasion. Mechanistically, we uncovered a malignancy-promoting factor (MPF) that acts as a functional ligand for Meta1, selectively enhancing pro-invasive signaling in cancer cells. We further identify Meta1 as an unconventional G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays as an accelerator in cancer cells of the TME. Meta1 interacts with Rho-GDI and Gαq to activate RhoA-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling and amoeboid migration, facilitating metastatic dissemination. We further identify MPF binding to Meta1 initiates Gβγ signaling, elevating intracellular cAMP and activating Rap1, thereby amplifying cell motility and metastatic potential. Leveraging the Meta1–MPF interaction, we designed MPF-derived peptides that specifically bind Meta1 and serve as the basis for a novel peptide-based PROTAC, which efficiently induces degradation of Meta1 and abrogates its pro-metastatic functions. Our study unveils Meta1 as an atypical GPCR with canonical signaling capacity and topological divergence, representing a shared and targetable vulnerability that bridges cancer cell-intrinsic adaptation with extrinsic TME communication. These findings establish the Meta1–MPF axis as a compelling therapeutic target for suppressing metastasis and reprogramming the TME.
-
Tai-Lung ChaTaiwan
Moderator
Novel Target for GU Cancer Metastasis and TherapeuticsCancer progression is shaped by both cell-intrinsic adaptations and complex extrinsic interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we identify a transmembrane protein, Meta1, as a shared therapeutic target that exhibits a Janus-like role: promoting malignant phenotypes in cancer cells while restraining tumor-supportive functions in non-cancerous stromal and immune cells. Meta1 is expressed in both compartments of the TME, orchestrating a dual program that supports metastasis and immune evasion. Mechanistically, we uncovered a malignancy-promoting factor (MPF) that acts as a functional ligand for Meta1, selectively enhancing pro-invasive signaling in cancer cells. We further identify Meta1 as an unconventional G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays as an accelerator in cancer cells of the TME. Meta1 interacts with Rho-GDI and Gαq to activate RhoA-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling and amoeboid migration, facilitating metastatic dissemination. We further identify MPF binding to Meta1 initiates Gβγ signaling, elevating intracellular cAMP and activating Rap1, thereby amplifying cell motility and metastatic potential. Leveraging the Meta1–MPF interaction, we designed MPF-derived peptides that specifically bind Meta1 and serve as the basis for a novel peptide-based PROTAC, which efficiently induces degradation of Meta1 and abrogates its pro-metastatic functions. Our study unveils Meta1 as an atypical GPCR with canonical signaling capacity and topological divergence, representing a shared and targetable vulnerability that bridges cancer cell-intrinsic adaptation with extrinsic TME communication. These findings establish the Meta1–MPF axis as a compelling therapeutic target for suppressing metastasis and reprogramming the TME.
Cary Nobles RobertsonUnited States
Speaker
Latest Clinical Data and Operative Technique on Focal One Robotic HIFU Therapy for Prostate CancerThe lecture will cover the latest clinical data and operative advancements in Focal One Robotic High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Focal One marks a significant advancement in minimally invasive, organ-sparing treatment. This technology integrates real-time MRI and ultrasound imaging with robotic precision to deliver highly focused ultrasound energy directly to cancerous prostate tissue—while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy structures.
TICC - 2F 201BC
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13:30
15:00
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Cary Nobles RobertsonUnited States
Speaker
Latest Clinical Data and Operative Technique on Focal One Robotic HIFU Therapy for Prostate CancerThe lecture will cover the latest clinical data and operative advancements in Focal One Robotic High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Focal One marks a significant advancement in minimally invasive, organ-sparing treatment. This technology integrates real-time MRI and ultrasound imaging with robotic precision to deliver highly focused ultrasound energy directly to cancerous prostate tissue—while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy structures.
Peter Ka-Fung ChiuHong Kong, China
Speaker
Minimal Invasive Therapy: Where do We Stand in 2025Endourological, Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries have replaced most open surgeries in Urology. Emergence of new robotic platforms have provided urologists with new opportunities. Both boom-type and module-type robots have been used, and they each have their strengths in practice. Tele-surgeries have provided a new paradigm of long-distance robotic surgeries to facilitate new surgical possibilities and proctorship. State of the art robotic surgeries in retrograde intrarenal surgeries and enbloc resection MDT Discussion: Personalizing Treatment in High Volume CSPCN/ADebate: Should We Only Offer Consolidative Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic RCC?N/AFocal Therapy in Asia – Is It Prime Time?The increase in incidence of Prostate cancer has been rapid in Asia in the past 10 years. While Robotic radical prostatectomy and Radiotherapy has been the commonest treatments for localized prostate cancer, significant long-term morbidities are observed after surgery or radiotherapy including incontinence, erectile dysfunction and irradiation injury to the bladder and rectum. In the current era of MRI-guided prostate biopsy, focal diseases can be targeted and diagnosed, and image-guided focal therapy emerged as an alternative treatment. Although Focal therapy has a relatively higher rate of local recurrence, it has the advantages of minimal or no long-term complication after treatment, and it is possible to perform retreatment with focal therapy, prostatectomy or radiotherapy. In properly selected patients, the need for salvage prostatectomy or radiotherapy after focal therapy is less than 20% at 8 years, and patients’ quality of life could be preserved. In well-selected patients, focal therapy is an attractive option. Current focal therapy for prostate cancer available in Asia includes HIFU, Cryotherapy, Targeted Microwave Ablation (TMA), irreversible electroporation (IRE) and TULSA.
TICC - 2F 201BC
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