Research
The Zhang Laboratory studies ovarian cancer biology with the goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches to combat the disease with precision. In particular, the lab investigates how alterations in epigenetics—or the heritable changes that affect gene expression without alterations in the underlying DNA sequence—contribute to epithelial ovarian cancer. The ultimate goal of this line of investigation is to leverage these newly gained mechanistic insights for developing new therapeutics in a personalized manner based on one’s unique genetic and/or pathway signatures.
Read more about the epigenetics of epithelial ovarian cancer →
The Zhang Laboratory also investigates the mechanisms that underlie aging in normal mammalian cells and how this process is implicated in tissue aging or evaded by tumor cells during malignant transformation. In particular, the lab focuses on epigenetic and metabolic pathways that regulate the aging process. The overarching goal for identifying such mechanisms is the development of novel strategies to promote healthy aging and combat cancer.
Read more about the epigenetic and metabolic basis of cellular senescence →
Epigenetics of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
A major discovery in recent cancer genome-wide sequencing is the identification of significant genetic changes in chromatin-modifying genes. However, despite great strides in identifying the various epigenetic enzymes/factors involved in cancer, the translational application of these findings in cancer intervention remains to be explored. The Zhang Lab will pursue these issues in the coming years by focusing on the epigenetic SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) and PP2A complexes as proof of principles in the context of ovarian cancer. Topics of interest include:
- Mechanism-guided therapeutic strategies for genetic alterations that affect the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in epithelial ovarian cancer (such as ARID1A mutation in clear cell and endometrioid subtypes of ovarian cancer and CARM1 amplification/overexpression in high-grade serous ovarian cancer)
- Epigenetic approaches to chemotherapy resistance and cancer stemness in epithelial ovarian cancer
- Epigenetic approaches to primer for and/or synergize with immunological therapy in epithelial ovarian cancer
- PARP inhibitor resistance mechanisms and approaches to sensitizing BRCA-proficient ovarian cancer to PARP inhibitors
- Epigenetic and immunological approaches to mutations in subunits of the PP2A complex (e.g., PPP2R1A) in ovarian and endometrial cancers
Epigenetic and Metabolic Basis of Cellular Senescence
Cellular senescence is a state of stable cell growth arrest that is accompanied by drastic molecular and phenotypic changes. Cellular senescence is a major contributor to tissue aging and plays a context-dependent role in tumor development. For example, cellular senescence is tumor suppressive and overcoming the senescence-associated cell growth arrest is a necessary step during cell transformation. In contrast to their tumor suppressive function, senescent cells can also promote cancer by acquiring a secretory phenotype and create a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. The biological process of cellular senescence represents an ideal paradigm to examine the role of the DNA damage response, epigenetically determined chromatin structure and metabolic reprogramming during tissue aging and cancer development. Topics of interest include:
- Chromatin basis of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype
- Targeting senescence-associated metabolic vulnerabilities to develop cancer therapeutics
- Targeting senescence-associated immunological vulnerabilities to develop cancer therapeutics