Description:

Yibin Kang, Ph.D.
Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Molecular Biology
Princeton University

Abstract:
Breast cancer remains a significant health concern worldwide. Our previous studies suggested that Metadherin (MTDH) promotes breast cancer initiation, progression, and treatment resistances. However, whether targeting MTDH has therapeutic potential is still elusive. Using inducible Mtdh knockout mouse models we found that MTDH sustains breast cancer progression and metastasis via interacting with SND1, and acute Mtdh loss inhibits breast cancer development. Through high throughput screenings, we obtained a serial of MTDH/SND1 inhibitors. Treatments of the compounds suppress breast tumor growth, metastasis, and sensitize breast cancer to chemotherapy by sensitize cancer cells to stress-induced apoptosis.  Our results suggest that targeting MTDH/SND1 complex could have therapeutic potential and compounds that disrupt the interaction may be developed as novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer.