Designing Cancer Therapies — The National Cancer Institute has awarded Dr. Vern Schramm a renewal grant of $1.4 million over five years to support his ongoing research in developing novel cancer therapies. Previously, Dr. Schramm’s laboratory found that the molecule MTDIA inhibited the growth of human lung, breast, prostate, colon, and head and neck cancer cell lines that were grown in mouse models. Human cancer cell lines that were made resistant to MTDIA had increased levels of an enzyme called MAT IIa—making MAT IIa an attractive target for treating cancers even if they become resistant to MTDIA. The biochemical relationship between MTDIA and MAT IIa is one focus of the research, while designing new enzyme inhibitors against MAT IIa is a second focus. Based on mouse models, using MTDIA against cancer causes fewer side effects than current chemotherapies. Dr. Schramm is professor and Ruth Merns Chair of Biochemistry.
Posted on: Tuesday, July 08, 2014