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Plenary IV 

Updates in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Recent Research Studies in Hong Kong

Chairperson: Dr Simon TANG Yiu-hang, Director (Cluster Services), Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China


P4.1 Understanding the Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into the Development of Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Prof Nancy IP Yuk-yu

President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China


P4.2 Advancing Clinical Practice: Innovative Biomarker Technologies for Neurodegenerative Disease Management

Dr MOK Kin-ying

Chief Medical Officer, Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China


P4.3 Integrating Multiomics in Diagnosis and Treatment Development

Dr Anna WONG Hiu-yi

Research Assistant Professor, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China


P4.4 Roundtable Discussion: Clinical Research Development and Application in Hong Kong – Opportunities and Challenges

Chairmen:

Dr the Hon LAM Ching-choi, Member, Executive Council, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Chief Executive Officer, Haven of Hope Christian Service, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

Dr Simon TANG Yiu-hang, Director (Cluster Services), Head Office, Hospital Authority Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

Members:

Prof Péter HEGYI, Chair, Clinical and Veterinary Session, Life Sciences for Academia Europaea, Hungary

Prof Nancy Y IP, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

Dr MOK Kin-ying, Chief Medical Officer, Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

Dr Anna WONG Hiu-yi, Research Assistant Professor, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

27 May 2025 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM(Asia/Hong_Kong)
Venue :
20250527T0845 20250527T1015 Asia/Hong_Kong

Plenary IV 

Updates in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Recent Research Studies in Hong Kong

Chairperson: Dr Simon TANG Yiu-hang, Director (Cluster Services), Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

P4.1 Understanding the Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into the Development of Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Prof Nancy IP Yuk-yu

President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

P4.2 Advancing Clinical Practice: Innovative Biomarker Technologies for Neurodegenerative Disease Management

Dr MOK Kin-ying

Chief Medical Officer, Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

P4.3 Integrating Multiomics in Diagnosis and Treatment Development

Dr Anna WONG Hiu-yi

Research Assistant Professor, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

P4.4 Roundtable Discussion: Clinical Research Development and Application in Hong Kong – Opportunities and Challenges

Chairmen:

Dr the Hon LAM Ching-choi, Member, Executive Council, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Chief Executive Officer, Haven of Hope Christian Service, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

Dr Simon TANG Yiu-hang, Director (Cluster Services), Head Office, Hospital Authority Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

Members:

Prof Péter HEGYI, Chair, Clinical and Veterinary Session, Life Sciences for Academia Europaea, Hungary

Prof Nancy Y IP, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China

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Presentations

View Abstract

Understanding the Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into Innovative Diagnosis and Therapeutics

Speaker 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM (Asia/Hong_Kong) 2025/05/27 00:45:00 UTC - 2025/05/27 02:15:00 UTC
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a leading cause of death among the elderly. Limited understanding of its complex pathologies has hindered the development of effective diagnostics and treatments. Recently approved anti-amyloid drugs have brought new hope for AD treatment, particularly in individuals with early-stage disease and amyloid pathology. Recognizing the immense promise of blood biomarkers for early diagnosis, we conducted large-scale blood proteomics studies of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in collaboration with local clinicians. We identified hundreds of blood protein biomarkers associated with AD/MCI, which are involved in various biological pathways. From these, we selected representative proteins to generate a "blood protein signature of AD." This work led to the development of a novel blood-based multiple protein biomarker test for early detection and monitoring of AD. This innovative blood test accurately indicates the presence of brain amyloid pathology, even at its early stages. When used alongside artificial intelligence machine learning and the UK Biobank database, the test is able to predict the risk of AD 15 years before clinical diagnosis. Additionally, we identified several blood protein biomarkers as therapeutic targets for drug development, including soluble ST2 (sST2), a decoy receptor for the cytokine interleukin 33. Blood levels of sST2 are elevated in AD patients. In an AD transgenic mouse model, increased sST2 levels worsen AD pathology by impairing the microglia-mediated clearance of toxic amyloid-beta, a key pathological process in AD. We have developed novel sST2 modulators, including small molecules and RNA-based therapeutics, as potential treatments. Our research on blood protein biomarkers underscores the importance of human studies in discovering new diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. 
Presenters Nancy Y IP
President, The Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology
View Abstract

Advancing Clinical Practice: Innovative Biomarker Technologies for Neurogenerative Disease Management

Speaker 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM (Asia/Hong_Kong) 2025/05/27 00:45:00 UTC - 2025/05/27 02:15:00 UTC
The advances in biomarker discovery for Alzheimer's disease (AD) revolutionize the clinical practice and patient management. In the revised criteria for diagnosis and staging of AD from Alzheimer's Association published last year, AD is defined by its biological process. As a disease continuum, AD is first evident in vivo with the appearance AD neuropathologic change evidenced by disease-specific Core biomarkers while people are still asymptomatic. Cerebrospinal, plasma and imaging biomarkers specific for AD pathologies and reflections of underlying non-specific processes involved in AD pathophysiology are essential for accurate and timely detection of AD. Our group has established large-scale ethnic Han-Chinese AD patient and control cohort with multi-omics databases in Hong Kong. One of our foci is plasma AD biomarkers discovery. Here, we will illustrate pros & cons of integrating various biomarkers into daily clinical practice of AD. We will also share our research findings on the amyloid PET analysis in our AD cohort and discuss the importance of adopting centiloid measurement in AD diagnosis and management. 
Presenters Kin-ying MOK
Chief Medical Officer, Hong Kong Center For Neurodegenerative Diseases
View Abstract

Integrating Multiomics in Diagnosis and Treatment Development

Speaker 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM (Asia/Hong_Kong) 2025/05/27 00:45:00 UTC - 2025/05/27 02:15:00 UTC
Genetic predisposition remains to be one of strongest risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genetic variants associated with AD. However, over 90% of association studies were carried out in individuals of European descent, with a large imbalance between ethnic groups. To understand the effects of genetic variants in AD among Han Chinese population, our group studied the known AD-associated variants in a Hong Kong Chinese cohort. We established a polygenic risk score (PRS) model for AD risk prediction locally and identified individuals carrying the rare AD-risk associated mutation, the H157Y variant (rs2234255), located in the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) gene loci. We found that the frequency of the TREM2 H157Y A allele is up to 0.46% in this local AD population with an odds ratio of 9.13 for AD. The TREM2 H157Y A allele carriers with AD exhibited more severe AD pathology and neurodegeneration based on blood biomarkers (p- tau217, NfL) and brain MRI. The TREM2 H157Y A allele carriers exhibited a quicker decline from MCI to moderate AD in the presence of the APOE-ɛ4 allele based on clinical observations. Through the study of the TREM2 H157Y variant, we aim to raise the awareness of physicians and the general public about the importance of the genetic predisposition of AD and the early identification of individuals at risk of AD. Integration of both genomics, blood and imaging biomarkers into clinical practice align AD biology with patient care and allow accurate patient stratification for prescribing disease modifying drugs. Early interventions including controlling the risk factors, adopting healthy lifestyles and prescribing medication in a timely manner will reduce long-term care costs and the burden on caregivers, healthcare system and society.
Presenters Anna Hiu-yi WONG
Research Assistant Professor, The Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology
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Session Participants

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Session speakers, moderators & attendees
Prof Nancy Y IP
President
,
The Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology
Dr Kin-ying MOK
Chief Medical Officer
,
Hong Kong Center For Neurodegenerative Diseases
Dr Anna Hiu-yi WONG
Research Assistant Professor
,
The Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology
Dr. Ching-choi LAM
Member
,
Executive Council, HKSAR
Prof. Péter HEGYI
Chair
,
Life Sciences For Academia Europaea
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