2008 UALC
Rachel Linger, MD, PhD
University of Colorado Denver
Research Project:
Synergistic Interaction Between Standard Chemotherapy and Novel Biologically Targeted Therapy for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Summary:
Dr. Rachel Linger’s research is focused on the role of a protein called Axl in lung cancer, which makes the cells more invasive and increases the chance that the cancer will spread. These tumor cells may also be more resistant to killing with chemotherapy. Dr Linger is testing whether inhibitors of the Axl protein increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, and limit the invasiveness of lung cancer cells.
More Content:
Final Report
Dr. Linger’s studies have shown that blocking signaling from Axl and a closely related protein, Mer, reduces long term growth. She has found that inhibiting Axl makes the cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and her studies so far point to a potentially new drug target that may cooperate with chemotherapy to kill cancer cells more effectively. She has identified novel signaling pathways downstream of Mer and is now focusing on biologic inhibitors to reduce cell survival in combination with chemotherapy with some initial promising results.
Notable Accomplishments
Dr. Linger published her work in Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets.