SHILLA CHAKRABARTY, Ph.D.   Assistant Professor Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Phone: (409) 747-1672 Fax: (409) 747-1669 Email: schakrab@utmb.edu

Disease/Research Topic(s)
IGFBP-2 and Cancer

The Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) are important regulators of normal growth and differentiation in various tissues and cell systems. However, dysregulation of the IGF system may have serious consequences, and is increasingly being considered as an independent risk factor for cancer. The focus of my laboratory is to investigate the role of the IGF system in the development of malignancies. Currently, our major efforts are directed towards understanding the role of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in carcinogenesis. We are especially interested in examining the role of IGFBP-2 in cancer because although this protein is overexpressed in several types of malignancies, such as those of the prostate and the ovaries, little is known about its role in carcinogenesis. Our goals are: (1) to determine the physiological role of IGFBP-2 in the growth and development of cancer, and (2) to understand the mechanism by which IGFBP-2 modulates cancer cell growth. To this end, we are conducting in vitro and in vivo studies to examine the role of IGFBP-2 in modulating growth of prostate and ovarian cancer cell lines. Positive results from these studies will have significant implications in targeting IGFBP-2 for the development of: (a) novel markers for cancers such as those of the prostate and the ovaries, where rising levels of IGFBP-2 correlate with the severity of the disease; (b) novel antineoplastic therapies, and (c) preventative strategies in high risk groups.