- Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- TGF-β signaling in diseases
- Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases
- Anorectal Disease Treatments and Outcomes
- Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Cell Adhesion Molecules Research
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- Protein Degradation and Inhibitors
- Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
University of Kansas Medical Center
2023-2025
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
2023
HNSCC presents a significant health challenge due to its high mortality resulting from treatment resistance and locoregional invasion into critical structures in the head neck region. Understanding mechanisms of has potential guide targeted therapies, improving patient survival. Previously, we demonstrated involvement doublecortin like kinase 1 (DCLK1) regulating cell invasion. Here, investigated hypothesis that DCLK1 modulates proteins within invadopodia, specialized subcellular protrusions...
Improving treatment options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) requires a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We previously reported that HNSCC-derived FGF2/bFGF (fibroblast growth factor 2) triggers cytokine release from CAFs via secretory autophagy. Here, using transmission electron microscopy, live-cell imaging, immunofluorescence, we show CAF autophagosomes transport cargo, including IL6, to plasma membrane...
Aim: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide with a survival rate below fifty percent. Addressing meager therapeutic options, series of small molecule inhibitors were screened for antitumor efficacy. The potent analog, acryl-3,5-bis(2,4-difluorobenzylidene)-4-piperidone (DiFiD; A-DiFiD), demonstrated strong cellular JUN proto-oncogene, activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor subunit (JUN, c-Jun) antagonism. c-Jun, an oncogenic factor,...