Cancer is the manifestation of abnormalities within cells that result in uncontrolled proliferation and modifications of their environment that promote invasion and metastasis.
PCOM researchers study various properties of tumor cells, including genetic predispositions and environmental factors and molecular pathways that regulate transformation and malignancy. Our work has led to the identification of molecules that may be specifically targeted for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Associate Professor Kumar Mukherjee, PhD, examined whether the oral anti-diabetic drug Metformin may enhance the cancer survival rate of elderly patients who have been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), better known as liver cancer. With a survival rate of less than 20% five years after diagnosis, HCC is one of the deadliest cancers.
PCOM School of Pharmacy faculty member Eric Wang, PhD, received $10,000 from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) to support his cancer research with multiple myeloma. It is estimated that 20 percent of human death related to blood and bone marrow cancers are consequences of multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer. The disease remains incurable due to drug resistance.
PCOM South Georgia biomedical sciences student Teighlor Livingston, MS, is investigating drug delivery for lung cancer patients through inhalation—targeting cancer sites directly and reducing negative side effects of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel.
PCOM aims to develop innovative approaches to promoting health through basic, translational, clinical, behavioral, education and community research projects.
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