2015 Lung Cancer Research Foundation Annual Grant Program
Duangporn Jamsai, PhD
Monash University
Research Project:
The role of the tumor supressor RBM5 in lung cancer
Summary:
Late detection makes lung cancer one of the most fatal forms of cancer today, with a five-year survival rate of 17% overall, or below 2% for those with stage IV disease at diagnosis. If the cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, however, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy present a likely cure. Dr. Jamsai’s research aims to define the role of the tumor suppressor gene RBM5 (RNA binding motif 5) and its associated molecular pathways in the development and progression of lung cancer. The outcomes of her research will allow the identification of changes in signaling molecules that reflect biochemical properties of lung tumors. This may lead to (i) the development of biomarkers for the detection of lung cancer at an earlier stage; (ii) the prediction of high risk cases for recurrence or metastasis; and (iii) in the longer term, the identification of the mechanism of RBM5 action may lead to the development of specific approaches to regulate RBM5 action in cancer cells as a means of targeted therapy.