Mechanisms of Selective Susceptibility to Inhibition of a Cytoskeletal Regulator in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Abstract
I, Dr. Heidi Malaby, have a strong background determining how proteins work inside of a cell. I am currently working with Drs. Jason Stumpff and Alan Howe, who are both working in cancer cell biology studying breast, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. The Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program?s Horizon Award will provide the training and financial support I need to learn the background and techniques involved in colorectal cancer cell biology, as well as provide the opportunity to attend yearly conferences to discuss cutting-edge cancer research. I will join the University of Vermont Cancer Center to take full advantage of local resources and training in colorectal cancer research and discuss my findings with colorectal oncologists. In combination with my previous protein function training, I will have the tools necessary to identify vulnerable components in colorectal cancer cells that can be exploited as new drug targets. This project seeks to fulfill both short- and long-term goals for improved treatment of colorectal cancer: (1) To immediately determine the potency of depleting a specific protein, a motor protein called Kif18A, among different colorectal cancer cell types. High Kif18A levels in some colorectal tumors have been correlated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis. Promisingly though, Kif18A removal in several colorectal cancer cell lines inhibits the cancer cell?s ability to grow and move. I would like to identify what type of colorectal cancer cells are susceptible to inhibition of cell division and/or motility when this protein is removed from cells. (2) To identify what is happening in colorectal cancer cells when Kif18A is depleted that inhibits the growth and movement of these cells. I will also determine the components of Kif18A itself that are necessary for these observed effects. The answers to these unknowns will be essential for the pursuit of Kif18A as a new drug target in colorectal cancer treatment. Further, high Kif18A expression levels are also linked to increased metastasis and poor prognosis in breast cancer tumors, demonstrating high likelihood that the findings from this study will be applicable to multiple cancers. Being an American citizen, I am deeply grateful for all the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, past and present. The job can be grueling, not the least of which is the difficulty in obtaining a hot meal in the field. While Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) have been a reasonable answer for Soldier energy sustainability, there is mounting evidence that eating highly processed foods, especially meats, can be carcinogenic and lead to colorectal cancer. The findings from this study will promote our understanding and treatment of the disease, bringing us one step closer to a world where colorectal cancer is merely an annoyance, easily fixed, with minimal lasting impact on our lives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710371
Entities
People
- Heidi Malaby
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Vermont