2009 UALC
Xiaoqi Liu, PhD
Purdue University
Research Project:
Validation of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a therapeutic target in small cell lung cancer
Summary:
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is overexpressed in many lung cancer tumors and cell lines. Dr. Liu is further validating this target and its mechanism in small cell lung cancer lines to determine if a targeted therapy would benefit lung cancer patients.
More Content:
Final Report
Dr. Liu analyzed PLK1 in SCLC, NSCLC, and normal cells, and found that although both SCLC and NSCLC cells have elevated levels of PLK1, SCLC cells have even higher levels of PLK1 than NSCLC cells, in general. The team also investigated the mechanism of PLK1 further, to best direct efforts at developing a targeted therapy. Although Dr. Liu was surprised to learn that cell death caused by loss of PLK1 is highly selective for SCLC, not for NSCLC, this result further supports the original hypothesis that PLK1 might be a feasible target for SCLC therapy.
Notable Accomplishments
Dr. Liu has received $1,320,000 in follow-on funding from the National Science Foundation and the national Institute of Health to pursue his findings. He has also published his findings in Molecular and Cellular Biology.