![Treating Prostate Cancer]()
The tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRb are dysfunctional in several major cancers, including metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)-a condition in which prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body despite treatment to lower levels of testosterone, the hormone that promotes tumor growth. Liang Zhu, M.D., Ph.D., studies how loss of tumor suppressor proteins hinders cancer therapy. He found that inactivating a protein called Skp2 prevented tumor growth in mouse models that lack both p53 and pRb. The National Cancer Institute has awarded Dr. Zhu a five-year $1.9 million grant to investigate Skp2’s role in blocking tumor growth. Dr. Zhu will use p53- and pRb-deficient mouse models of mCRPC. He hopes to translate his mouse findings to human mCRPC and identify treatment strategies. Dr. Zhu is professor and interim chair of developmental & molecular biology, as well as professor of ophthalmology & visual sciences and of medicine.
Posted on: Monday, August 22, 2016