The ASPIRE Path in Molecular Medicine

Most patients who die from metastatic cancer have complications from bone metastases. Although therapeutics exist to minimize skeletal-related events, these drugs, as well as chemotherapies, do not reduce tumors. Gli2 is a transcription factor that is upregulated in bone metastatic tumors and is suggested to be a good target for reducing tumor induced bone disease due to its involvement in activating factors that cause bone destruction as well as chemoresistance. Therefore, my research plans consist of pre-clinical studies focused on drug mechanisms and synergy of Gli2 inhibitors in combination with standard-of-care therapies. This research will include biochemical and pharmacological studies of small molecules in a disease model, which will integrate with the goals of the APMM through connecting my potential findings to future clinical studies of these inhibitors. I will also collaborate with an engineering group that synthesizes targeted nanoparticles co-loaded with Gli2 inhibitors and chemotherapeutics, in which I will aid in conducting animal studies to determine if the loaded nanoparticles can reduce metastatic bone tumors. This further integrates with the APMM through future clinical trial design as well as understanding how to communicate with clinicians regarding patient response to and/or feelings about treatment methods such as these nanoparticles.