2011 UALC
Mary Reyland, PhD
University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
Research Project:
PKCdelta: A novel target in K-ras dependent NSCLC
Summary:
Mutation of KRas occurs in about 20% of human lung cancers, predominantly in non-small cell lung cancer. However, no selective, specific, inhibitor of the K-Ras pathway is currently available for routine clinical use in lung cancer. Dr. Reyland is collaborating with a small drug development company to test potential inhibitors of a new target protein, PKCdelta, for their ability alone or in combination to inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells in the lab and determine if these compounds can be used to inhibit lung tumor growth in preclinical models. Successful completion of these preclinical studies will pave the way for future clinical trials of these agents to treat KRas mutant lung cancers.
More Content:
Interim Report
Dr. Reyland and her team are investigating dependency on PKCdelta for a variety of biological functions related to cell growth and cell death. They have uncovered important differences regarding both dependence on PKCdelta signaling and response to specific PKCdelta inhibitors between K-Ras independent and dependent cell lines. From this preliminary data, the team is focusing future efforts on a single PKCdelta inhibitor in combination with inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt pathway. In the next year, Dr. Reyland will pursue further pre-clinical studies that will inform future treatment strategies.