DR. ROBERT LANGER: A VISIONARY IN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

An interview by: Lennard Goetze, Ed.D /Editor of Balance & Longevity Magazine

Source: MIT News

Dr. Robert Langer is a pioneering figure in the fields of chemical engineering and biotechnology. His groundbreaking work has paved the way for major advancements in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Despite facing skepticism early in his career, his perseverance has led to innovations that have transformed medical treatments worldwide.

A BOLD BEGINNING IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
In 1974, fresh out of his chemical engineering degree, Dr. Langer made an unconventional decision that set the course of his illustrious career. Instead of joining an oil company like most of his peers, he chose to work in a hospital under the mentorship of Dr. Judah Folkman. Their goal was ambitious: to isolate the first blood vessel inhibitors, which could revolutionize cancer treatment.

This endeavor required the development of a novel bioassay to study these inhibitors, necessitating the creation of nanoparticles or microparticles capable of delivering large molecules. At the time, many believed such an approach was impossible. Undeterred, Dr. Langer persevered through hundreds of failed attempts before finally succeeding. Even after proving feasibility, he encountered significant skepticism, with his first nine research grant applications being rejected and facing challenges in securing a faculty position in chemical engineering.

 

TRANSFORMATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO MEDICINE
Despite these early hurdles, Dr. Langer’s innovations led to major medical breakthroughs. His work on blood vessel inhibitors helped to lay the foundation for widely used cancer drugs such as Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis. These drugs have since become crucial in treating various cancers and eye diseases, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

His pioneering efforts in drug delivery also had far-reaching impacts beyond oncology. The techniques developed in his lab helped to facilitate new treatments for schizophrenia, heart disease, and even the development of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, alongside Jay Vacanti, he explored using materials and cells to create new tissues and organs, a field now known as tissue engineering or regenerative medicine.

 

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, TRANSLATION, AND MENTORSHIP

Dr. Langer’s career has been driven by three core objectives:

1. Developing groundbreaking ideas with the potential to revolutionize medical treatments.

2. Translating these discoveries into practical applications by founding companies and facilitating commercialization.

3. Training and mentoring the next generation of scientific leaders. Over a thousand individuals have trained in his lab, many of whom have gone on to become professors, start companies, and contribute to significant scientific advancements.

DRIVING THE FUTURE OF CANCER DETECTION AND COLLABORATION
A strong advocate for early cancer detection, Dr. Langer highlights the importance of biomarkers and cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and advanced imaging techniques. Companies like GRAIL, Seer and PrognomiQ are at the forefront of these innovations, with several promising approaches currently undergoing clinical trials.

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of his work. His lab engages in partnerships with leading institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins, as well as researchers in Spain, Israel, and Japan. Many of his former students and colleagues continue to contribute to scientific advancements worldwide.

PERSEVERANCE IN THE FACE OF SKEPTICISM
Dr. Langer’s career is a testament to the power of persistence. He often shares a message of resilience in his speeches: dream big and never give up, even in the face of criticism. He emulates his problem-solving approach to that of Thomas Edison—experimenting with different designs, materials, and methods until success is achieved.

One notable example of this perseverance is his work on artificial skin. Alongside dermatologist Rox Anderson, Dr. Langer developed a polymer-based coating initially designed for cosmetic applications, such as wrinkle reduction. This technology, however, has potential broader applications in dermatology and wound healing.

 

THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN MEDICINE AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Dr. Langer emphasizes the importance of rigorous scientific validation, particularly in medicine. He advocates for regulatory oversight by organizations like the FDA to ensure medical treatments are both effective and safe. While scientific publishing plays a critical role in advancing knowledge, he underscores the necessity of FDA approval before medical applications reach patients, warning against false advertising that could mislead vulnerable individuals.

 

9/22/24- (L) Dr. Robert Langer was the keynote speaker at the SCIENCE ABROAD medical conference in NYC from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).| (M) Dr. Langer shared his work on “Second Skin” or artificial skin under a discussion on wound healing with Dr. Robert Bard. “There are two kinds of artificial skin that I've been involved in… one I call CELL-BASED which they now use for treating burn victims - where you take certain types of cells and put them on a scaffold. I also worked with Dr. Rox Anderson and others on (R) coating based on polymers… its original goal was to be able to put it on skin and remove wrinkles- we got pretty good results with it.”

THE LEGACY OF A SCIENTIFIC TRAILBLAZER
Dr. Robert Langer’s impact on biotechnology and medicine is immeasurable. His work has saved countless lives, improved the quality of healthcare, and inspired generations of scientists. As research continues to evolve, his contributions serve as a foundation for future breakthroughs, ensuring that innovation in medical science remains vibrant and transformative.

 

INTERNATIONAL MENTOR IN DERMATOLOGY: MEET DR. BABAR RAO

DermalScan News and the AngioInstitute is proud to present Dr. Babar K. Rao. With over twenty years of dermatology experience, Dr. Babar K. Rao is considered a pioneer in the industry. Board certified in both Dermatology and Dermatopathology and a leading authority on pigmented lesions, Dr. Rao is a pioneer in Dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM). He brings his vast and diversified experience to every patient he sees, with established offices in California, New Jersey, and New York. Dr Rao has been published hundreds of times and is always working with Medical Students on new studies. In addition, he supports numerous philanthropic causes in the United States and abroad. Dr. Rao founded the NIDISKIN medical educational symposium series, delivering the most innovative and effective educational content for Dermatologists and Pathologists in both live and virtual curated environments. Dr. Rao is considered an international authority and provides each of his patients a high caliber of care, from coast to coast.

FOUNDATION YEARS
My journey in medicine began in Pakistan, where I pursued medical school and specialized in dermatology. Seeking further knowledge, I moved to London for additional studies before eventually settling in the United States. Over the years, I trained at several esteemed institutions, including UT Southwestern in Dallas, Boston University, NYU, and ultimately graduated from Cornell in New York City.

Initially, I aspired to be in academia, a path that led me to become the Program Director for the dermatology training program at Rutgers in New Jersey. I later served as the Chair of Dermatology for over 22 years. However, my ambition extended beyond academic leadership—I wanted to expand my clinical practice and bring innovative solutions to dermatology. This drive led me to establish practices in New York, New Jersey, and California, where I primarily focus on skin cancer and complex medical dermatology.

Throughout my career, I have prioritized the advancement of non-invasive diagnostic techniques in dermatology. Traditionally, diagnosing skin conditions required a biopsy, which involved removing tissue and sending it for pathological examination—a process unchanged for over two centuries. I firmly believe that technology should progress beyond such invasive methods. This belief has shaped my focus on non-invasive diagnostics, allowing for precise diagnosis and management without the need for cutting.

PIONEERING INNOVATIONS IN DERMATOLOGY
Early in my career, I recognized the need for better diagnostic tools. The first major advancement in this area was dermoscopy, which enhances the visualization of skin lesions using magnification and polarized light. While this significantly improved upon the limitations of the naked eye, it still had its constraints. The next breakthrough came with confocal microscopy, which allows for high-resolution imaging of the skin at a cellular level, providing diagnostic insights comparable to histology without requiring a biopsy.

EXPERTISE IN PIGMENTED LESIONS
My expertise in pigmented lesions—moles, birthmarks, and other skin growths—stems from my fellowship at NYU, where I trained under Dr. Alfred Kopf, a renowned expert in melanoma and pigmented lesions. Traditionally, dermatologists diagnose these conditions through dermoscopy or biopsy, but I was determined to explore alternative methods. Given that nearly 99% of excised moles are benign, I sought out technologies that could provide more accurate assessments before resorting to surgical removal. Around the time I was completing my training at Cornell, confocal microscopy was emerging as a promising tool. Recognizing its potential, I immersed myself in its study and implementation, ultimately integrating it into my practice over 16 years ago.

EXPANDING THE FIELD OF STUDY
Dermatopathology, a specialized field that combines dermatology and pathology, requires additional years of fellowship training and board certification. Not all dermatologists pursue this path, but I saw it as an essential extension of my expertise. My passion for non-invasive diagnostics led me to recognize a gap in formal training for confocal microscopy in North America. To bridge this gap, I learned from leading experts, including Dr. Giovanni Pellacani in Italy, and later established a dedicated training program. Today, this initiative has trained numerous dermatologists across the United States, advancing the field of non-invasive dermatological diagnostics.

COLLABORATION AND ADVANCEMENTS
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of my career. I have worked closely with esteemed colleagues such as Dr. Pellacani in Europe and Dr. Manu Jain at Memorial Sloan Kettering in the U.S. Together, we have conducted training courses and mentored professionals who now practice these techniques nationwide. Additionally, I have collaborated with Dr. Robert Bard, a cancer radiologist and a pioneer in high-resolution ultrasound imaging, to explore its applications in dermatology. My ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive, non-invasive approach to skin cancer diagnosis and treatment—what I call "cutting-edge without cutting."

COMMITMENT TO BURN CARE
Beyond my clinical practice, I have been deeply involved in global burn care, particularly in underserved regions. Recognizing the high mortality rate associated with burn injuries in developing countries, I helped establish a burn hospital in Pakistan in 2012, providing free treatment to those in need. This initiative has generated valuable research on scar management using laser therapy and other non-surgical interventions. My goal is to explore innovative methods for wound healing and scar reduction without relying solely on plastic surgery.

A LEGACY OF TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP
My dedication to education extends beyond my clinical work. When I began my journey in dermatology, there were very few trained dermatologists in Pakistan—only two or three for a population of 170 million. Recognizing this disparity, I sought advanced training in England and later became a skin pathologist, a field with even fewer specialists worldwide. Today, I teach dermatopathology and confocal microscopy to students across the globe, from Iran to Ukraine, Brazil to Pakistan, ensuring that future generations of dermatologists are well-equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques.

 

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Philanthropy and community service remain integral to my mission. In New Jersey, I provide free dermatological care to nursing home residents who lack access to medical services. In California, my team offers complimentary tattoo removal for formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them reintegrate into society. Through the American Academy of Dermatology, I actively participate in skin cancer screenings and public health initiatives.

 

LOOKING AHEAD
While I have achieved significant milestones in dermatology, my work is far from over. My primary focus remains on revolutionizing skin cancer treatment—eliminating the need for surgical intervention whenever possible. By continuing to develop and implement non-invasive technologies, I hope to make dermatological care more accessible, effective, and patient-friendly.

The key to my success has been collaboration, humility, and openness to new ideas. I firmly believe that by working together and embracing innovation, we can transform the field of dermatology and improve the lives of countless patients worldwide.