Dr. Kenneth Pienta, M.D.
Our
laboratory is divided into three parts. The first part focuses
on understanding the biology of prostate cancer metastasis. To
this end we have isolated a human bone marrow endothelial cell
line and demonstrated that prostate cancer cells preferentially
adhere to these cells (Lehr JE, Pienta KJ: JNCI 90:118-123, 1998).
We are now attempting to isolate the factors that mediate this
preferential adhesion, and identify the cell adhesion molecules
involved. We believe that this could lead to the development of
anti-metastasis strategies in halting prostate cancer progression.
The second part of the laboratory is focused on developing new
therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hormone refractory
prostate cancer including gene, radiation and chemotherapy. We
are currently investigating whether androgen independent cell lines
can be induced to re-express androgen receptor through blocking
NF-kB activation. In addition, we are investigating how various
chemotherapy agents, particularly docetaxel combinations, induce
apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Third, we are exploring the
inhibitory effects of radiation on the tumor bed, specifically
endothelium. To better evaluate new therapies we are currently
developing a human xenograft/cell line panel to perform in vivo
testing, and have developed a cell-cycle screen to predict drug
synergy.
