Nancy McNamara, O.D., Ph.D.

Research Project:
Inhibiting a Protein Might Help Prevent or Treat Lung Cancer

Research Topics:

gene expression transcription
tobacco

Research Disease:

lung cancer

As cigarette smoke responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, there is an urgent need to develop novel strategies to treat lung cancer in smokers. We have previously shown that cigarette smoke initiates tumor formation by disrupting the junctions between airway cells. An important component of the cell membrane that participates in smoke-induced tumor development is a protein called mucin 1 (MUC1). We are studying two methods to inhibit the tumor-promoting potential of MUC1. We will explore the potential of these therapies to prevent and/or treat lung cancer in smokers using an engineered mouse model of lung cancer.

Page last updated: March 9, 2022

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