Date Approved
11-2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
Department
Molecular Biology
College
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
First Advisor
Gary Goldberg, PhD
Committee Member 1
Ronald Ellis, PhD
Committee Member 2
Robert Nagele, PhD
Committee Member 3
Venkateswar Venkataraman, PhD
Committee Member 4
Maria Ramirez, PhD
Subject(s)
Neoplasms; Cadherins; src Tyrosine Kinases; Antineoplastic Agents; Biomarkers
Disciplines
Cancer Biology | Cell Biology | Laboratory and Basic Science Research | Medicine and Health Sciences | Molecular Biology | Neoplasms
Abstract
Cancer kills almost 8 million people per year worldwide. Therefore, about 13 people die from cancer every minute. Clearly, current cancer treatments are not completely effective. Moreover, many chemotherapeutic reagents are not very specific for cancer cells.
These agents attack rapidly dividing cells, including a wide array of normal cells, in addition to cancer cells, in the body. This lack of specificity can cause collateral damage and significant side effects in patients. More targeted therapies are needed to successfully combat cancer. Specific cancer biomarkers need to identified and characterized in order to develop better targeted anti-cancer drugs.
Tumor cells can be forced to assume a normal morphology by surrounding normal cells. This process is known as contact normalization. Tumor cells need to escape from contact normalization to migrate and metastasize.
Tumor cell motility is a critical step leading to cancer invasion and metastasis. Over 90% of cancer deaths result from metastasis, the spread of cancer from primary sites to distant parts of the body. We have identified unique receptors that promote tumor cell motility that is needed for cancer progression. These receptors can serve as novel cancer biomarkers and chemotherapeutic targets.
Recommended Citation
Krishnan, Harini, "Novel Biomarkers Can Be Used as Targets to Combat Cancer" (2014). Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations. 63.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/gsbs_etd/63
Included in
Cancer Biology Commons, Cell Biology Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Molecular Biology Commons, Neoplasms Commons
