Previously Funded Research

Victoria Wang, MD, PhD

University of California, San Francisco

Research Project:

Alterations in the cytoskeleton of lung cancer cells allow them to survive better in the presence of cytotoxic drugs through activation of the transcription co-factor YAP1, resulting in decreased cell death

Summary:

Despite recent advances in lung cancer therapy, disease eradication remains a challenge because many tumors contain a small population of cells that is intrinsically more resistant to standard therapy. These “persister cells” ultimately account for recurrence of the disease. In an effort to develop better therapy for lung cancer, Dr. Wang seeks to understand the biology of these “persister cells” and identify strategies of selectively targeting them. Her team previously identified one of the targets that enhances survival of these persister cells – the Hippo effector genes YAP and TAZ. In this project, Dr. Wang’s goal is to understand how YAP and TAZ mediate tumor survival and identify small molecules that can target these proteins to enhance killing of tumor cells. Clinically, the team’s findings may ultimately improve patients’ therapeutic response and lengthen their disease free survival.