Research Abstract
The major focus of the lab is on the molecular basis of prostate cancer development and progression. The androgen receptor, which is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily, plays a major role in prostate cancer. We have identified mutations in the androgen receptor that contribute to prostate cancer progression and are characterizing androgen receptor interacting proteins. We have also determined that the platelet derived growth factor receptor contributes to prostate cancer and are attempting to define other important growth factor-receptor interactions that may be useful therapeutic targets. Finally, efforts are underway to develop murine transgenic and gene knockout models of PCa. A second interest in the lab is a novel T cell population termed NK T cells and the MHC class I-like CD1d protein they recognize. These cells appear to have an important immunoregulatory function and we are determining the role they play in viral infections and anti-tumor
responses.