Lee:Research

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Roles of Drug Transporters in Cancer Therapy The goal of our research is to understand the genetic and molecular bases for interindividual variations with a particular emphasis on drug transport. We are currently investigating the function and regulation of drug transporters in cancer development and progression. In this project, we will evaluate the functional implications of an organic anion transporter overexpressed in colorectal cancer and the regulatory mechanisms underlying its overexpression in tumors. We will also assess the potential role of the transporter overexpression in determining tumoral chemotherapy sensitivity, tumoral behavior and clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Cancer Pharmacogenomics Interindividual differences in drug response and toxicities are consistently observed with most chemotherapeutic agents or regimens and many clinical variables (e.g., age, gender, diet, drug-drug interactions) affect drug responses. In particular, inherited variations in drug disposition (metabolism and transport) and drug target genes are known to substantially contribute to the observed variability in cancer treatment outcome. A second project in the laboratory is to evaluate the clinical utility of pharmacogenomically selected treatment using genetic polymorphisms in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. In this Phase II clinical study, we will analyze DNA and tumor samples from the enrolled patients to identify possible confounding factors that may alter the expected outcomes of this treatment approach (e.g. other genetic variations, tumoral changes) and also assess the variability in the pharmacokinetics of anticancer agents as a potential cause for differing clinical outcome.