Research: Our research group is focused on investigating the genetic basis for human lung cancer and to develop new strategies for clinical trials. We have studied the role of the RB tumor suppressor pathway in human cancer and have demonstrated that the RB/p16 tumor suppressor pathway is inactivated in 100% of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC. We are investigating functional properties of the RB tumor suppressor protein using mutant alleles isolated from patients with lung cancer and from families linked with the phenoytpe of incomplete penetrance. This will include analyses of site-specific phosphorylation patterns and protein binding properties. In addition, using mutant RB transgenes driven by the endogenous RB promoter we have developed a mouse model for incomplete penetrance. We have also identified caspase-mediated cleavage of the C-terminal 42 amino acids of RB at the onset of apoptosis and we have initiated a project to determine if this cleavage event is central to regulation of programmed cell death. In addition, we are studying the patterns of gene inactivation that discriminate between the neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine lung tumors. To study the genetic basis for selected lung tumors we have begun to collect samples from young patients with lung cancer. As part of this research effort we have begun a project to study the molecular basis for the genesis of lung mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Division of Clinical Sciences - NCI (NCI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01SC007256-13
Application #
6558389
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Clinical Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code
Komiya, T; Coxon, A; Park, Y et al. (2010) Enhanced activity of the CREB co-activator Crtc1 in LKB1 null lung cancer. Oncogene 29:1672-80
Kaye, Frederic J (2009) Mutation-associated fusion cancer genes in solid tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 8:1399-408
Chen, M; Rahman, L; Voeller, D et al. (2007) Transgenic expression of human thymidylate synthase accelerates the development of hyperplasia and tumors in the endocrine pancreas. Oncogene 26:4817-24
Tirado, Yamilet; Williams, Michelle D; Hanna, Ehab Y et al. (2007) CRTC1/MAML2 fusion transcript in high grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas of salivary and thyroid glands and Warthin's tumors: implications for histogenesis and biologic behavior. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 46:708-15
Thomas, Roman K; Baker, Alissa C; Debiasi, Ralph M et al. (2007) High-throughput oncogene mutation profiling in human cancer. Nat Genet 39:347-51
Kaye, Frederic J (2006) Emerging biology of malignant salivary gland tumors offers new insights into the classification and treatment of mucoepidermoid cancer. Clin Cancer Res 12:3878-81
Komiya, T; Park, Y; Modi, S et al. (2006) Sustained expression of Mect1-Maml2 is essential for tumor cell growth in salivary gland cancers carrying the t(11;19) translocation. Oncogene 25:6128-32
Chute, John P; Taylor, Elizabeth; Williams, John et al. (2006) A metabolic study of patients with lung cancer and hyponatremia of malignancy. Clin Cancer Res 12:888-96
Kaye, Frederic J (2005) A curious link between epidermal growth factor receptor amplification and survival: effect of ""allele dilution"" on gefitinib sensitivity? J Natl Cancer Inst 97:621-3
Paez, J Guillermo; Janne, Pasi A; Lee, Jeffrey C et al. (2004) EGFR mutations in lung cancer: correlation with clinical response to gefitinib therapy. Science 304:1497-500

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