Research Interests

Our laboratory focused on understanding the mechanistic consequences of specific genetic alterations that lead to the development of prostate cancer (PC), especially as related to progression. Prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequently diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer in men, and although organ confined PC is highly treatable with surgery and/or radiation, metastatic disease is incurable and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Our goal was to improve detection and treatment of prostate cancer through understanding genomic and biochemical mechanisms of disease progression.

We used two complementary approaches, patient-derived xenografts/organoids and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). A strength of our laboratory was our ability to employ a wide variety of in vivo models and imaging modalities. We used the large cohort of LuCaP patient-derived CRPC xenografts established by our collaborators at the University of Washington. The LuCaP cohort represents the genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity of advanced prostate cancer clinical samples. To facilitate experimental manipulations, including genetic modifications and high throughput screening assays, we optimized organoid methods for establishing and maintaining in vitro cultures of LuCaP xenograft tumor cells. In addition to the LuCaP organoids, we also developed a number of organoid cultures from NIH clinical center CRPC patient biopsy samples. Together these organoid cultures in combination with matching PDX tumors provide an extensive, clinically-relevant experimental platform. One major effort was focused upon high throughput screens to determine therapeutic sensitivity and metabolic characteristics (including imaging tools) as they relate to molecular characteristics. A second effort addressed the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of CRPC dedifferentiation and neuroendocrine transdifferentiation that occurs in response to androgen deprivation.

GEMMs are particularly useful for the availability of genetically-defined tumor tissue, the ability to longitudinally investigate various stages of prostate cancer progression, and the ease of manipulating the hormone environment. Models of aggressive CRPC in mice have provided insight into poorly differentiated tumors enriched for cancer stem/progenitor cells. Combined PTEN/TP53 mutations occur in ~30% of clinical CRPC. Our characterization of a Pten/Tp53 null prostate cancer GEMM model revealed that the amplification and plasticity of luminal prostate cancer progenitor cells contributes to the aggressive and castration resistant nature of the disease. Other investigations were focused upon the signaling pathways that promoted self-renewing cancer stem cells and their relationship to castration indifference.