Pinku Mukherjee, Ph.D.

CBES Area of Interest:

Our basic and translational research focuses on 1) understanding the basic oncogenic pathways of tumor progression and metastasis associated MUC1 and 2) development of novel cancer vaccines that activate the existing immune response against the “foreign” tumor-specific proteins. The goal is to develop immune memory against the cancer, so that if the cancer recurs, it will be recognized immediately as foreign and be rejected. In particular, our lab focuses on pancreatic cancer and metastatic breast cancer, both of which are fatal. Since preclinical studies must precede clinical trials, we have developed oncogenic transgenic mouse models that appropriately mimic the human disease and expresses human proteins. Tumors develop spontaneously within the pancreas or the breast, thus receiving appropriate hormonal and molecular signals. Similar to human disease, the tumors arise in an immune-competent and immune-tolerant host. Tumor-Site Directed Therapy: Another grave challenge for cancer therapeutics has been the systemic toxicity, and the failure of the therapeutics to reach the tumor site. Therefore, my laboratory is designing tumor-targeting antibody that is fused to some of the promising therapeutic agents. The antibody only recognizes tumor cells in the primary site and in the metastatic lesions without targeting normal cells. This technology has huge clinical relevance. It may have the potential of aiding early detection and diagnosis. Ultimately, this antibody has the potential as a site-directed therapeutic delivery system (with either drugs or radio-conjugates) in patients with metastatic cancers.

CBES Area of Expertise:

Transgenic mouse models of breast and pancreas cancers to study tumor progression, metastasis, and immune evasion mechanisms within an appropriate hormonal and stromal microenvironment.
Oncogenic signal transduction and multidrug resistance signals associated with overexpression of a tumor associated protein, MUC1, that is aberrantly glycosylated in >90% of breast and >65% of pancreas cancers.
Developing and optimizing therapeutic cancer vaccines against breast and pancreas cancer.
Developing drug delivery systems that directly target the tumor microenvironment.
Early biomarker discovery in pancreas and breast cancer.