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
PKN2 Is a Dependency of the Mesenchymal-like Cancer Cell State.
Journal Article Cancer Discov · March 3, 2025 Cancer cells exploit a mesenchymal-like transcriptional state (MLS) to survive drug treatments. Although the MLS is well characterized, few therapeutic vulnerabilities targeting this program have been identified. In this study, we systematically identify t ... Full text Link to item CiteESRRA (estrogen related receptor, alpha) induces ribosomal protein RPLP1-mediated adaptive hepatic translation during prolonged starvation.
Journal Article Autophagy · February 18, 2025 Protein translation is an energy-intensive ribosome-driven process that is reduced during nutrient scarcity to conserve cellular resources. During prolonged starvation, cells selectively translate specific proteins to enhance their survival (adaptive trans ... Full text Link to item CiteMitoxantrone inhibits and downregulates ER α through binding at the DBD-LBD interface.
Journal Article bioRxiv · January 8, 2025 Targeting the estrogen receptor (ER or ERα) through competitive antagonists, receptor downregulators, or estrogen synthesis inhibition remains the primary therapeutic strategy for luminal breast cancer. We have identified a novel mechanism of ER inhibition ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Endocrinology and Metabolism Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Duke University Program in Environmental Health
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2029The Duke Preparing Research scholars In bioMEdical sciences (PRIME): Cancer Research Program
ResearchPreceptor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2023 - 2028View All Grants