Research

It is now recognized that a large percentage of high grade serous ovarian cancers arise in the fallopian tube and colonize the ovary as the primary metastatic step.  Since one of the largest tumor masses tends to be found in the ovary after diagnosis, this raises the possibility that the ovary contributes to tumor spread and aggressiveness. One of the risk factors associated with ovarian cancer is the lifetime number of ovulations. Few models are currently available that allow the process of ovulation and the development of ovarian cancer to be studied. To address this gap, we have engineered fallopian tube and ovary cultures on a tissue chip to study ovulation and early events in high grade serous cancer formation from the fallopian tube.

Our lab has an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Laura Sanchez to use untargeted analysis of the metabolites with spatial distribution being exchanged between cancer cells and the ovarian microenvironment . The metastatic colonization of high grade serous cancers to the microenvironment of the ovary is likely governed by a series of chemical signals with spatial distribution that relate to both the ovary and the fallopian tube tumor cells. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a technology capable of capturing spatial distribution of the molecular ions present in a sample.

Phytoprogestins need to be identified and studied in order to apply them for safe and effective use in gynecologic disorders. To address this, our team with Dr. Brian Murphy laid the groundwork for this new subfield of chemodietary prevention through the identification and biological characterization of molecules from white peony, skullcap, red clover, and yucca, as these contained compounds that modified PR signaling. Our goal is to identify the structures of compounds in several other commonly consumed botanicals that modify PR signaling so that they can be examined for safety and efficacy in preclinical chemodietary prevention models, including prevention of fibroids, preterm birth and uterine hyperplasia.

Botanicals, fungi, and cyanobacteria are diverse sources of natural products that can be interrogated for new molecules used to treat cancer. The Core A of this P01 project is focused on biological evaluation of new compounds for anti-cancer activity.  This highly collaborative and multidisciplinary project integrates scientists at Ohio State, UNC Greensboro, and UIC.

PAX8 has become a target in high grade serous cancer due to its regulation of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Our project focuses on the secreted factors in the microenvironment that are modified by PAX8 expression. We are also interested in finding new small molecules that can trigger the degradation of repression of PAX8 as a translational strategy. The TEAL expansion allows us to continue our original DOD pilot on PAX8.

The University of Illinois Cancer Center at UIC aims to improve research and patient outcomes for our community. The cancer biology program focuses on metabolism, signaling, genome integrity, and the tumor microenvironment.