Charles J. Gomer: PDT and Beyond
By: David Kessel* and Tayyaba Hasan**
ABSTRACT
Charles (Chuck) Gomer was one of the early investigators involved in ‘the rebirth’ of photodynamic therapy (PDT), as a graduate student working in the laboratory of Tom Daugherty in Buffalo. He was later involved in many other projects, as Chair of the Radiation study section for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Chair of his local school board for many years, Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs for Pediatrics at University of Southern California (USC), Director of the Radiation Biology lab at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, President of the USC Faculty and President of the American Society for Photobiology (ASP).
Dr. Charles Gomer (center) receiving his Gold Medal award from Dr. Herwig Kostron (left), IPA Past-President, Dr. Tayyaba Hassan (right), and IPA President, Dr. Luis Arnaut (far-right)
INTRODUCTION
The death of Chuck Gomer was reported on August 8. In addition to the roles mentioned in the Abstract, he had a major impact on the field of Photodynamic Therapy and Photobiology. As a graduate student in the laboratory of Tom Dougherty, he was involved in some of the early studies that identified reactive oxygen species as the lethal factor in PDT-initiated cell death.
When he was presented with the International Photodynamic Association Gold Medal, it was noted that ‘Dr. Gomer contributed to major advancements of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of the pediatric eye tumor retinoblastoma, a potential new application for PDT. Dr. Gomer’s research programs were involved in the areas of radiation biology, photobiology and photodynamic therapy used in the clinical treatment of solid tumors as well as for the treatment of vascular and dermal proliferative disorders.’
DISCUSSION
Along with a collection of review articles. Chuck Gomer was part of the group that discovered the role of singlet oxygen in the cytotoxic effects of PDT. His studies established the patterns of localization of HPD, the first photosensitizing agent to attain regulatory approval for clinical use.
Other works involved studies on PDT-induced perturbations in the tumor microenvironment, on effects relating to early-response genes, on the use of the inducible heat shock (HSP) promoter as a molecular switch for the selective activation of heterologous genes. Among his more recent projects were targeted gene therapy using recombinant constructs with oxidative stress and heat inducible promoters to provide a novel mechanism for expression of cytotoxins, growth factors, immuno-modulators, suppressor genes and antisense molecules. In addition to his scientific work, Chuck was involved in many other roles including service on NIH review panels, scientific societies, university groups and local projects in a suburb of Los Angeles. When he was elected Vice President of the USC Faculty Senate, The USC news reported that ‘His areas of investigation included the use of the inducible heat shock (HSP) promoter as a molecular switch for the selective activation of heterologous genes. Recent research explores targeted gene therapy using recombinant constructs with oxidative stress and heat inducible promoters to provide a novel mechanism for expression of cytotoxins, growth factors, immuno-modulators, suppressor genes and antisense molecules. During his career, Dr. Gomer has been recognized with numerous awards and professional accolades for his accomplishments in advancing basic research in photodynamic therapy and for mentoring the next generation of PDT researchers.
Select publications from Charles J. Gomer via PubMed.
CONCLUSION
The global International Photodynamic Association (IPA) community mourns the loss of our dear friend and colleague Charles (Chuck) Gomer.
AFFILIATIONS
*Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State School of Medicine, Detroit MI
**Wellman Institute for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA