Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in USA and worldwide. One of the major causes of colorectal cancer mortality is due to the spreading of cancer cells from primary tumor sites to distant organs, a process known as cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This process is coordinately regulated by various biological molecules and their associated signaling pathways. The long-term objective of my research is to understand colon tumorigenesis and metastatic process by identifying critical molecular drivers, and to understand their function mechanisms to develope effective ways for targeted cancer therapy. Sulfiredoxin is a novel redox enzyme that has a critical role of promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis of colorectal cancer. In this project, our goals are to understand molecular mechanisms by which Sulfiredoxin promotes cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and to test the efficacy of a novel small molecule inhibitor of Srx in blocking human colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis using cell culture as well as mouse models.

Public Health Relevance

This project is aimed to understand role of Sulfiredoxin in colon tumorigenesis and molecular mechanism of Sulfiredoxin in promoting colorectal cancer cell invasion and metastasis. By testing a novel small molecule inhibitor of Sulfiredoxin in the treatment of colorectal cancer in mouse models, we expect to provide proof-of-the-concept data for future translational applications.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA222596-02
Application #
9619078
Study Section
Tumor Progression and Metastasis Study Section (TPM)
Program Officer
Snyderwine, Elizabeth G
Project Start
2018-01-01
Project End
2022-12-31
Budget Start
2019-01-01
Budget End
2019-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kentucky
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
939017877
City
Lexington
State
KY
Country
United States
Zip Code
40526