2011 UALC
Phuoc Tran, MD
Johns Hopkins University
Research Project:
Screening for TWIST1 inhibitors as treatment for lung cancer
Summary:
KRas mutations are found in 15-25% of NSCLC patients, however there is not targeted therapy available. Dr. Tran is investigating TWIST1, a new target protein that helps lung tumor cells grow by blocking normal checkpoints within the cell. In this project, he will identify novel compounds that inhibit TWIST1 using both cellular and preclinical models. If successful, these compounds will provide options for lung cancer patients without currently available targeted treatments.
More Content:
Final Report
Dr. Tran and his colleagues have made significant progress in developing drug screening strategies to find small molecule inhibitors of the TWIST1 pathway. They have honed in on 30 candidates from the genetics-bioinformatics screen, and are pursuing studies to validate their ability to inhibit cell growth. Preliminary studies indicate two of these compounds have promise, and several more are under investigation using inducible TWIST1 and KRas preclinical models. Future directions include pursuing more detailed mechanistic studies to isolate compounds that will ultimately be useful agents in the clinic.
Notable Accomplishments
Dr. Tran has published his research in Molecular Cancer Research, and has received nearly $3 million in follow-on funding from the American Cancer Society, the Department of Defense and the Sidney Kimmel Foundation. Dr. Tran also was named one of 2012’s Top Doctors by Baltimore Magazine the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology’s Educator of the Year.