Research is carried out in two major areas: 1) fetal
endocrine biology and 2) human ovarian biology and pathophysiology.
Fetal endocrinology:
We are assessing factors regulating growth and differentiated function
of the human fetal adrenal gland. We found that ACTH exerts its effect
on growth through the intermedia-cy of locally produced peptide growth
factors, of which insulin-like growth factor and basic fibroblast
growth factor play pivotal roles.
Ovary:
We described expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),
a significant peptide in angiogenesis during the cycle. Currently,
we are exploring angiogenesis in ovari-an carcinoma. VEGF is expressed
extensively in ovarian cancer cell lines and primary tumors. We introduced
cells from the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV 3 s.c. and i.p. in immunodeficient
athymic mice. Growth of the s.c. tumors was blocked by administration
of a monoclonal antibody hVEGF. Growth of i.p. tumors mimics growth
of ovarian carcinoma in women. Administration of the antibody to VEGF
i.p. prevents ascites.This raises possibilities for novel forms of
therapy. |
Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program
