Curriculum Vitae

VLADIMIR VINNITSKY, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sequent Development LLC
3101 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike
Madison, VA 22727 USA
Phone/Fax: +301-208-1423

E-mail: vladvinnitsky@gmail.com

EDUCATION

M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) A.A. Bogomolets National Medical University, Kiev, Ukraine, 1966
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Ukrainian Institute of Experimental and Clinical Oncology, Kiev, Ukraine, 1967-1970
Ph.D. (Experimental Oncology) Ukrainian Institute of Experimental and Clinical Oncology, Kiev, Ukraine, 1970
D.Sc. (Doctor of Medical Sciences) R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Oncology Problems, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine, 1982
1984 Leadership training at the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine
Visiting Scientist Department of Human Biological Chemistry & Genetics, the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas, USA 1994-1995

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

2003 – Present Professor, Chief Scientific Consultant, R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Kiev, Ukraine
2003-2004 Consultant, National Institute of Health/ National Cancer Institute Laboratory of Pathology, Bethesda, MD, USA
1984-2003 Professor, Department of Tumor Biology, R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Kiev, Ukraine.
1974-1984 Associate Professor, Department of Natural Defense Mechanisms against Cancer, R.E. Kavetsky Institute for Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Kiev, Ukraine
1970-1974 Research Scientist, Department of Natural Defense Mechanisms against Cancer, R.E. Kavetsky Institute for Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Kiev, Ukraine

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS & SERVICE

2003-Present COO, Sequent Development LLC, Pre-Clinical Research Organization. Falls Church, VA, USA
2004-2005 COO for the Ukraine and Russia. IMFORM GmbH, International Clinical Research (CRO), Darmstadt, Germany
1984-2003 Head, Department of Tumor Biology, R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Kiev, Ukraine
1984-1991 Deputy Director, R.E. Kavetsky Institute for Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine
1977-1984 Vice-Chairman, Joint Committee on Medicine, Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Health, Ukraine
1974-1982 Vice-Chairman, Committee on Oncology at Ministry of Health, Ukraine
1984-Present Member of Editorial Board, Journal of Experimental Oncology, Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences

GRANTS AWARDED

(selected examples)

2010-2012 National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Research Foundation Grant: “Study of the diagnostic value of the oncofetal antigens as tumor markers and the efficacy of the carcinoembryonic antigen-based vaccines against experimental cancer”
2001-2004 National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Research Foundation Grant:  “Cancer-associated proteases and metastasizing: development and testing of new substances for prevention of metastasis”
2000-2003 National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Research Foundation Grant:  “Development and testing of substances with anti-angiogenic activity for   prevention of experimental metastasis”
1998-2000 National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Research Foundation Grant: “Anti-cancer and anti-metastatic efficacy of the antibodies against human chorionic gonadotropin – a common marker of cancer and embryonic cells”
1995-1998 National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Research Foundation Grant: “Role of neuroendocrine mechanisms in enhancement of body’s natural immune defense against cancer”
1993-1996 Ministry of Health of Ukraine Grant: “The hormonal status of girls-teenagers residents of town Pripyat, located within the 30-km exclusion zone around Chernobyl nuclear power plant, evacuated after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in April-May 1986”

PROFFECIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member of the Advisory Board of the International Society of Neuroimmunomodulation, ISNIM (1988 – 2004).
  • Member of the Advisory Board of the International Academy of Tumor Markers Oncology, IATMO (1986 – 1992).
  • Member of the Advisory Board of the Society of Immunology and Virology of the USSR (1984-1989).
  • Vice-Chairman of the Ukrainian Society of Oncology and Immunology (1984 – 1994).
  • Vice-Chairman of Biotech and Medical Coordinating Board of the Ministry of Health and the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine (1982 – 1992).
  • Member of the Ukrainian Committee on Cancer, the Ministry of Health of the Ukraine (1984 – 2002)
  • Member of the Advisory Board of R.E. Kavetsky Institute for Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine (1982 – Present)

PROFFECIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

Organizer, President and Chairman:
7th International Conference on Human Tumor Markers attended by 250 participants of 24 countries. Kiev, Ukraine, September 1990.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS AT REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

  • Invited Lecturer. Seminar presentation: “Biological Laws of Malignant Tumor Formation: Theory and Practical Outcomes”. NCI-Frederick, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Bldg 426, Maryland 21701 February 03, 2006.
  • Invited Speaker. Chairman of Section. Second International Congress on Oncology-2000, May 2000, Kiev, Ukraine.
  • Invited Lecturer. Seminar presentation: “Neuroimmunomodulation and Cancer” UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA, April 1995.
  • Invited Speaker. First International Congress on Clinical Neuroimmunomodulation, Monza, Italy, 1995
  • Invited Speaker. Third Stromboli Conference on Aging and Cancer, Stromboli, Italy, 1993
  • Invited Speaker. First Baltic Sea Conference on Psychosomatics and  Psychotherapy, Kiel, Germany, 1992
  • Invited Speaker. Chairman of Section. First International Congress on Neuroimmunomodulatoin, Florence, Italy, 1991.
  • Invited Speaker. Second International Conference of the Egyptian Society of Tumor Markers Oncology, Cairo, Egypt, 1990
  • Invited Speaker, Chairman and President of the Conference “Seventh International Conference on Human Tumor Markers”, Kiev, Ukraine, 1990
  • Invited Lecturer. Seminar presentation: Neurohumoral mechanisms in regulation  of body’s immune defense against cancer” at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA, May 1989.
  • Invited Lecturer. Seminar presentation: “Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in regulation of body’s natural immune defense against cancer” at UCSD, San Diego, California, USA, May 1989.
  • Invited Speaker. Sixth International Conference on Human Tumor Markers, Stockholm, Sweden, 1988
  • Invited Speaker. First Stromboli Conference: “Neuroimmunomodulation: Intervention in Aging and Cancer”, Stromboli, Italy, 1987

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Vinnitsky elaborated the Oncogerminative Theory of Cancer Development (OTCD). The OTCD is unique since it is the only theory that provides a comprehensive explanation of whole process of tumor development applying the basic lows of developmental biology. Unlike existing theories of cancer that postulate uncontrolled cancer cells multiplication OTCD postulates tumor development as dynamic self-organizing process that mimics a self-organizing process of early embryo development. A basic premise of OTCD is that cancer is a phenomenon of developmental biology, which he has termed a “Desperate Asexual Self-Cloning Event”. In mammals, this phenomenon manifests itself in a desperate attempt of a cancer stem cell to realize its potential immortality by cloning the host body, which ultimately leads to the development of a malignant tumor. The OTCD provides a new Oncogerminative Model of Cancer. This Model postulates that themalignant transformation of somatic cells, which occurs due to gene mutations combined with epigenetic dysregulation, ultimately result in somatic cells reprogramming into immortal mimic germ-line cells that are cancer stem cells. The process of such cellular reprogramming Dr. Vinnitsky has termed a “germinalization.” He introduced the term “oncogerminative cell” to describe a cancer stem cell. Similarly to normal germ-line cell an oncogerminative cell is potentially immortal, since it develops into a new mimic blastula-stage embryo (in fact a primary malignant tumor) that, in turn, can give rise to an endless series of generations of metastatic tumors. When developing a malignant tumor, an oncogerminative cell follows the same biological principles as a germ-line cell when it develops a blastocyst-stage embryo. A malignant tumor is a mimic blastocyst-stage embryo with heterogeneous cell composition, which arises from an immortal oncogerminative cell as it passes through its natural life cycle. The OTCD postulates that to have cancer is the same as gestating a “bad embryo”. Through evolution, mammals acquired a key mechanism underlying maternal selective immune tolerance to the antigens of an early embryo, which we have termed “phylogenetic immune tolerance”. The cause of maternal phylogenetic immune tolerance to an embryo is the absence of maternal immunological memory to the antigens of the early embryo. Cancer, as a mimic embryo which produces embryonic antigens, usurps the phylogenetic immune tolerance for its own benefit in order to escape immunological rejection from the host body. The OTCD provides with comprehensive explanation of cancer biology, core properties of malignant tumors, and introduces exciting and productive new avenues to discover revolutionary new therapies to fight and eradicate cancer.

Dr. Vinnitsky elaborated the theory of tumor-associated immunosuppresion caused by HPA axis dysfunction. He received internationalrecognition in the study of functional links between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, immunity and cancer development. He was a pioneer in onconeuroimmunomodulation research. He proved the ability to suppress or prevent cancer development by pharmacological correction of HPA functions as well as by direct electrical stimulation of definite hypothalamic structures, which involved in the regulation of the immune response.

PUBLICATIONS

Total number of publications – 178

Monographs

  1. Biology of markers of cancer and pregnancy. Naukova Dumka, 1990, p.260 (Russian).
  2. The nervous system and body’s natural defense against cancer. Kiev, Naukova Dumka,1983, p. 254 (Russian).
  3. The mechanisms of natural antitumor resistance. Kiev, Naukova Dumka,1978, p. 208 (Russian).

Selected Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals

  1. Vinnitsky V. The development of a malignant tumor is due to a desperate asexual self-cloning process in which cancer stem cells develop the ability to mimic the genetic program of germline cells. Intrinsically Disordered Proteins 2014; 2:e29997; http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/idp.29997
  2. Alistratov A.V., Vinnitsky V.B., Lisniyak I.A., Yatsenko S.M. Plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in C57BL/6 mice with metastatic variant of Lewis lung carcinoma ( LLC). 2002, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 24 (1): 64-68.
  3. Mosienko M.D., Ryabukha V.N., Pyaskovskaya O.N., Vinnitsky V.B. Immunization with whole placenta homogenate prevented metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice. 2001, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 23 (4): 278-281.
  4. Yakshibaeva Y.R, Vinnitsky V.B. Effect of sugars on malignant cell migration and aggregation in vitro. 2001, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 23(3): 161-165.
  5. Vinnitsky V.B., Mosienko M.D., Ryabukha V.N., Additive antitumor efficacy of cyclophosphamide and antiserum to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in C57BL/6 mice. 1999, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 21 (1) 59-63.
  6. Petik A.V., Pyaskovskaya O.N., Vinnitsky V.B., 1999, Fibrin deposition in pulmonary vessels play significant role in metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice. 1999, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 21, 3-4, 239-242.
  7. Vnnitsky V.B., Pyaskovskaya O.N., Lakisa O.V., Petik A.V., Zadorozhnaya T.D., Eschenko O.I., The fetal dysmorphogenesis in pregnant tumor-bearing mice. 1998, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 20, 2,119-125.
  8. Vinnitsky V.B., Mosienko M.D., Ryabukha V.N., Pyaskovskaya O.N., The antiserums against human chorionic gonadotropin or its beta-subunit reduce the tumorigenicity of malignant cells. 1997, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 19, 1, 44-49.
  9. Vinnitsky V.B., Prokopovich S.K., Electrophysiological phenomena in experimental tumor growth.  1994, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 719, 257-270.
  10. Gutnilk N.S., Kartavova N.S., Mute A., Kochetenko T.E., Osadchaya L.P., Vinnitsky V.B., The hormonal status of girls-teenagers evacuated from the town of Pripyat six years after the Chernobyl accident. 1993, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 15, 1, 60-64.
  11. Vinnitsky V.B., Mosienko M.D., Ryabukha V.N., Effect of antiserum against human chorionic gonadotropin on the viability and tumorigenicity of malignant cells and tumor spheroids. 1993, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 15, 1, 51-56.
  12. Vinnitsky V.B., Oncogerminative hypothesis of tumor formation. 1993, Medical Hypothesis. 40, 1, 19-27.
  13. Vinnitsky V.B., Chubinskaya S.G., Role of proteolysis system in the development of pulmonary metastasis in mice bearing experimental tumors. 1992, Clinical and Experimental Metastasis, 10, 1, 83-84.
  14. Vinnitsky V.B., Linetsky M.D., Semyonova-Kobzar R.A., Role of endogenous lectin-like activities associated with melanoma cells in metastasis of these cells. . 1992. Clinical and Experimental Metastasis, 10, 1, 101-102.
  15. Surgova T.M., Vinnitsky V.B., Sidorenko M.V., Cancer and pregnancy:  characterization of common markers. 1991, International Journal of Biological Markers, 5, 4, 203-220.
  16. Vinnitsky V.B., Mosienko M.D., Semyonova-Kobzar R.A., Karasev V.S., The  influence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), antiserum against hCG on the in vitro tumor spheroid formation and metastatic spread in vivo.  1991, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 1, 57-61.
  17. Surgova T.M., Vinnitsky V.B., Sidorenko M.V., Protein markers of pregnancy and cancer.  1989, Advances in Modern Biology. 107, 3, 418-434
  18. Vinnitsky V. B., Neurohumoral mechanisms of the formation of anti-tumoral activity. 1988, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 518, 195-214.
  19. Glinsky G.V., Vinnitsky V.B., Ivanova, A.B., Arumae U., Silgur J.,Neuman T., Nerve growth factor may be the metastasis growth factor.  1987, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 496, 656-659.
  20. Vinnitsky V.B., Ivanova A.B., Secretion of hormones by malignant tumors. 1987, Experimental Oncology (ISSN 0204-3564), 9, 6, 25-32.
  21. Balitsky K.P., Vinnitsky V.B., Central nervous system and cancer. In book: Stress and Cancer, Toronto, 1981, pp. 1-45.
  22. Vinnitsky V.B., Yakimenko V.A., Influence of phenformin, L-DOPA and para-chlorophenylalanine on immunological reactivity and development of chemically induced tumors in mice BALB/c. 1981, Voprosy Oncologii, 27, n.6, pp. 45-50.
  23. Vinnitsky V.B., Role of sympathoadrenal system and adrenal cortex in immune reactions. 1980, Journal of Physiology, 26, n 3, pp. 300-308.
  24. Vinnitsky V.B., Isaeva E.G., Lapteva N.A., Pridatko O.E.,  Relationship between the dose of antigen, nueroendocrine changes, and body’s immune response. Journal of Microbiology, epidemiology and Immunology, 1980, 6, pp. 107-108.
  25. Vinnitsky V.B., Optimization of the hypothalamic activity with the aim to enhance of antitumor efficacy of immunostimulators. 1980, Experimantal Oncology, 2, n.6, pp. 40-45.
  26. Vinnitsky V.B., Balitsky K.P., Neurohormonal changes during immune response. 1980, Doklady Academii Nauk SSSR, 254, n.1, pp. 247-250.
  27. Vinnitsky V.B., Kvachev V.G., Effects of electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus on the functional activity of the lymphoid cells. 1978, Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR, 238, pp. 755-757.
  28. Vinnitsky V.B., Shmalko Yu.P., The influence of electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic area on urinary excretion of catecholamines and development of DMBA-induced tumors in Wistar rats. 1978, Jouranl of Physiology, 24, n 3, pp. 401-406.
  29. Vinnitsky V.B., Tsapenko V.F., Changes in bioelectrical activity of posterior hypothalamic area in the immune response. 1977, Journal of Oncology, 9, pp. 34-38.
  30. Vinnitsky V.B., K.P. Balitsky, K.A. Takaishvili, Yu.A. Umansky, Role of the hypothalamus in body’s natural resistance against cancer. 1976, Voprosy Onkologii, 22, № 4, pp. 69-75
  31. Vinnitsky V.B., Influence of electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic structures on the immune response and tumor development. 1975, In book: Immunology of tumor. Kiev. Naukova Dumka, pp. 49-50.
  32. Vinnitsky V.B., Influence of the electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus on the growth of Brown-Pierce carcinoma in rabbits. 1973, In book: Tumor and Organism. Kiev: Naukova Dumaka, pp. 73-75