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Donald Patrick McDonnell

Glaxo-Wellcome Distinguished Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology, in the School of Medicine
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Duke Box 3813, Durham, NC 27710
C238A Lev Sci Res Ctr, Durham, NC 27708

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


Glaxo-Wellcome Distinguished Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology, in the School of Medicine · 2002 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology · 2000 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Medicine · 2002 - Present Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Medicine
Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1994 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Education, Training & Certifications


Baylor, College of Medicine · 1988 Ph.D.