Steven Kazan
was delighted to take part in the University of California, San Francisco’s outstanding Saturday Night Science Interactive Experiences on Oct. 13. The event consisted of several sessions led by UCSF professors and doctors that focused on the university’s cutting edge scientific and medical research. Programs included: “Beyond the Opioid Epidemic: The Future of Pain Management,” “Big Data Saving Young Lives,” “Therapeutic Nanotechnology: Tiny Tools Packing a Punch,” and “Future of Care for Alzheimer’s: Latest Discoveries.”
Steven attended two sessions: “Design-Build Cures for Cancer: Therapies Tailored to You” and “Harnessing Immunology to Redefine Medicine.” “Design-Build” discussed computational, biochemical and cell-based targeted therapies for different cancers. This was of keen interest to Steven because the vast majority of Kazan Law’s clients developed mesothelioma, and while there are no currently available curative treatments, individually-tailored drugs offer new hope.
“Harnessing Immunology” discussed immunotherapy as the exciting new option in treating cancer. This session was co-led by Jocelyn S. Chapman, MD, who is Assistant Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at UCSF. Last year, Dr. Chapman was Steven’s tutor in the Saturday Night Science session on da Vinci robotic surgery, where he had a hands-on tryout at the robot’s controls. Immunotherapy also offers individualized treatment options and a unique approach to cancer treatment, which offers new hope for mesothelioma patients.
Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation, which was established by Kazan Law 25 years ago to provide funding for cancer research and charitable organizations, has donated to UCSF’s thoracic oncology program for the past decade.
“The breadth and depth of research at UCSF is simply amazing,” Steven said. “We are very honored to be longtime supporters of this world-renowned institution, which is just on the other side of the Bay Bridge from us.”
UCSF brings together world-leading experts in nearly every area of health. The university is home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, HIV/AIDS, aging and stem cell research. UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, all four of the university’s professional schools — dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy — and many UCSF graduate programs consistently rank among the best in the country.