Adenocarcinoma

Dr. Pao’s research may determine whether specific mutations in tyrosine kinase genes make lung tumors vulnerable to EGFR-TKIs. A comprehensive analysis of the tyrosine kinase in lung cancers could also lead to new opportunities for drug development and more personalized molecularly targeted therapies.

Dr. Ma has identified mutations in the protein c-Met that may provide lung tumor cells the ability to metastasize. Dr. Ma is studying the role of c-Met and its genetic alterations in lung adenocarcinoma to better understand their functional implications.

Dr. Powell is identifying and characterizing molecular changes that are important in lung adenocarcinoma differentiation (changes in cancer cell shape and size) and invasiveness (ability to spread to other parts of the body). His long-term goal is to use these biomarkers to facilitate early diagnosis, refine prognostic assessment, and develop new therapeutic targets for lung cancer treatment and prevention.

Dr. Meyerson is exploring how a mutation in the EGFR cells can lead to cancer as well as what the mechanisms are for acquired resistance to EGFR therapies.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a class of proteins that are central to the survival of cells, in particular those under stress. Inhibiting HSPs makes cells very sensitive to cell death under stressed conditions (e.g., during chemotherapy). Dr. Salgia is studying the role of HSP27 in lung cancer to develop targeted therapies that are effective against it.

Dr. Fields is generating pre-clinical data to support a clinical trial of a novel compound, autothiomalate (ATM), for the treatment of lung cancer. ATM, which is FDA-approved for rheumatoid arthritis, exhibits anti-cancer activity against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in preclinical studies.

Dr. Hastings is establishing how parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) slows lung cancer growth, evaluating why lung cancers in men are less sensitive to PTHrP, and testing whether changes in hormone levels can affect the growth of lung cancer cells. His research may also determine whether changing the levels of male hormones makes it possible to improve the response to PTHrP.

Dr. Cote is examining the role of estrogen-related tumor characteristics in predicting differences in survival between men and women after a lung cancer diagnosis. The identification of molecular and genetic profiles associated with survival will help target treatment advances and customize treatment for male and female lung cancer patients.

Dr. Klinge is studying why there is a gender bias in lung adenocarcinoma that results in women being at higher risk for developing it. Her studies have revealed which proteins are expressed differently by gender in lung adenocarcinoma cells and how they could be targets of therapy in lung adenocarcinoma.

In order to identify mutated genes that cause lung cancer, Dr. Starr has developed a system that is capable of randomly mutating genes within cells, resulting in tumor formation. The genes mutated by this method can easily be identified using standard molecular biology techniques. He can then test their role in lung cancer formation.