News

SCM successfully hosted the “2025 Symposium on Autophagy, Aging, Cancer and Neurodegeneration: Therapeutic Potential of Chinese Medicine” on 28 July 2025. This symposium delves into the significant role of autophagy in aging and aging-related cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, while exploring the therapeutic potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in modulating autophagy for cancer treatment and neuroprotection.

In the welcoming speech, Professor Li Min, Dean of Chinese Medicine, introduced the six speakers whose achievements and pioneering research have shaped the landscape of autophagy, disease mechanisms as well as therapeutic innovation in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

During the symposium, the experts presented research on molecular mechanisms including C/EBPB/AEP signaling in aging, nitrogen metabolism in liver cancer, and novel regulators of mitophagy such as PINK1. TCM approaches, including AI-assisted discovery of autophagy enhancers and acupuncture’s modulation of autophagy in Alzheimer’s pathology, were highlighted as promising interventions. The speakers engaged in in-depth discussions on the role of autophagy in aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on innovative therapeutic strategies. The event underscored the potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration to advance treatments for age-related diseases.

SCM extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Mr. and Mrs. Ko Chi Ming Centre for Parkinson’s Disease Research and the Golden Meditech Centre for NeuroRegeneration Sciences for their generous support to this event.