Current Research Projects
Current P20 Grant Projects
Pilot Project 1
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| PI: Damien Young (BCM) |
PI: Xinli Liu (UH) |
Co-I: Chad Creighton (BCM) |
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a prevalent and deadly disease whose rate of incidence in the United States is higher in underrepresented populations. One of the hallmarks of hepatocellular carcinoma is the global reduction of DNA methylation which is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis.
In this project, we will use two complementary discovery platforms to develop novel compounds that reduce DNA hypomethylation as a novel therapeutic approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma in underrepresented populations.
Pilot Project 2
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| PI: Meghna Trivedi (UH) |
PI: Rachel Schiff (BCM) |
Co-I: Greg Cuny (UH) |
In this proposal, we aim to investigate FOXA1, a master regulator of ER reprogramming in endocrine resistance, as a drug target by combining unique expertise of drug discovery-development groups at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy and Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our efforts to discover novel drugs may have a potential for a major clinical impact in overcoming drug resistance in ER+ BC, which has disparity in mortality for African American women.
We also expect that our proposed research will advance the unique cancer drug discovery and development collaborative efforts between DLDCCC and UHCOP and serve as a platform for creating cancer research training opportunities for underrepresented (UR) trainees.