Primary Appointment

Interactions between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells which consist of macrophages, lymphocytes, vascular endothelial cells, pericytes, myofibroblasts and fibroblasts  are mediated by cytokines, kinases, phosphatases, reactive oxygen species and proteases. Consequently, the analysis of these proteins and stromal cells found in the blood by using proteomic technology may identify modifications in the tumor microenvironment that can be used as novel biomarkers for cancer.

The major goal of my research is to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients by discovering novel biomarkers. For this purpose, we have established an orthotopoic human pancreatic cancer model in nude mice where growing human pancreatic cancer cells are surrounded by host stromal cells. By using 2^nd dimension gel electrophoresis followed by western blot analysis to tyrosine phosphorylated protein and amino acid sequencing, we identified the candidate protein and phosphorylated protein in circulating mononuclear cells (MNCs) from tumor bearing mice, but not from normal mice.

Then we have tried to determine the specificity of these markers. We plan to study circulating MNCs from nude mice orthotopically implanted with different human pancreatic cancer cells (pancreas), colon cancer (cecum), lung cancer (lung), and breast cancer (mammary gland). We have also developed a nude mouse model for pancreatitis and shall examine the circulating MNCs for these markers. Another goal of my research is to determine whether these markers in circulating MNCs can be used to monitor therapy of orthotopic human pancreatic cancer in nude mice using gemcitabine and erlotinib (EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor).

Last updated: 8/20/2009