Development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat metastatic cancers

Our group focuses on developing new approaches to treat advanced metastatic disease, with an emphasis on triple-negative and endocrine-refractory luminal breast cancers, as well as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We are particularly interested in identifying proteogenomic features that predict or mediate drug resistance from chemotherapies, anti-estrogens, antibody-drug conjugates, or targeted therapies. To propose novel therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance, we develop diverse sets of patient-derived xenograft models and characterize them with whole-genome sequencing, transcriptional analyses (bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing), proteomics, and high throughput drug screens. Identified mechanisms of resistance are targeted with synergistic drug combinations, including liposomal formulations, as well as with the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates. Overall, we aim for this research to lead to new clinical trials performed at the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center to eliminate metastatic disease. We have received research funding from the National Cancer Institute, Susan G. Komen Foundation, METAvivor, the Jeffress Trust, VCU School of Medicine, the VCU Massey Cancer Center, and the Department of Defense.

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