Overview
Lab Website
The research in our group is focused on the development and application of mechanism based approaches to identify novel therapeutics for use in the treatment and prevention of hormonally responsive cancers. Specifically we are interested in the pharmaceutical exploitation of the estrogen and androgen receptors as therapeutic targets in breast and prostate cancers and in defining how these receptors influence the pathogenesis of these diseases. These efforts have led to the discovery of several drugs that are currently being evaluated in the clinic as cancer therapeutics, and to the identification of potential biomarkers and predictors of response that can help to target the use of these new drugs. Most recently we have explored approaches to treat triple negative breast cancer and have identified an important pathway that links obesity/dyslipidemia and cancer risk.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Discovery of BMS-986365, a First-in-Class Dual Androgen Receptor Ligand-Directed Degrader and Antagonist, for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer.
Journal Article Clin Cancer Res · January 6, 2026 PURPOSE: BMS-986365, a heterobifunctional androgen receptor (AR) ligand-directed degrader, was designed as a potent cereblon-dependent degrader and competitive antagonist of the AR to overcome resistance to AR pathway inhibition (ARPI) in metastatic prosta ... Full text Link to item CiteTargeting the ERα DBD-LBD Interface with Mitoxantrone Disrupts Receptor Function through Proteasomal Degradation.
Journal Article Mol Cancer Ther · January 2, 2026 The estrogen receptor (ER or ERα) remains the primary therapeutic target for luminal breast cancer, with current treatments centered on competitive antagonists, receptor downregulators, and aromatase inhibitors. Despite these options, resistance frequently ... Full text Link to item CiteThe Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader ZN-c5 Has Broad Anti-Tumor Activity in Wild-Type and Mutant ER-Positive Breast Cancer Models.
Journal Article Mol Cancer Ther · December 12, 2025 Endocrine therapy has proven to be beneficial for patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2 negative (ER+/HER2-) breast cancer; however, de novo or acquired resistance remains a major clinical challenge. Upon progression, many of the cancers cont ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholars
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020 - 2030Endocrinology and Metabolism Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2029View All Grants