We are investigating the oncogenic pathways that regulate susceptibility to apoptosis induced by novel anticancer agents. This research is focused on the development and clinical use of targeted agents that block defined signaling pathways (e.g. MAP kinase, mTOR, PI-3 kinase) in renal carcinoma, melanoma, and endothelial cells. We are also investigating the role of DNA methylation in the suppression of genes that encode proteins known to regulate apoptosis susceptibility and the potential utility of using DNA methylase inhibitors to restore the expression of these proteins as a means of enhancing susceptibility to drug-induced apoptosis.
