Dr. Chow’s lab is interested in a developing a comprehensive translational approach to understanding and treating cancer. In particular, we are interested in increasing our understanding and ability to treat hepatic cancers, which has some of the highest incidence occur in Asia. In order to accomplish these goals, we have developed a multidisciplinary approach to research that includes complementary basic and applied research projects. Utilizing oncogene-specific mouse models of liver cancer, we are interested in studying how specific oncogenes regulate the tumorigenesis including the formation and maintenance of tumor-initiating cancer stem cells (CSCs). We currently have a library of seven specific oncogenes that we are interested in studying. This approach has identified novel mechanisms of chemoresistance formation as well as potential therapeutic targets specific to CSCs. We are currently expanding these studies to include how specific oncogenes regulate CSC biology through 1) Epigenetic regulation; 2) Cross-talk amongst signaling pathways related to hepatic progenitor stemness and differentiation; 3) Oncogene-specific gene regulation programs.

The lessons learned in these projects inform our development of carbon-based nanoparticle imaging and drug-delivery complexes for improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We are currently developing novel targeted nanoparticle complexes for enhanced imaging and treatment of hepatic cancers. The benefit of carbon-based nanoparticles is the multiple methods by which these nanoparticles can be functionalized. This allows us to create targeted imaging and drug-delivery complexes that we have demonstrated improves the efficacy of these molecules while lowering toxic effects of related to unmodified forms of these molecules. This work involves in-depth in vitro and in vivo characterization and evaluation of these complexes with the ultimate goal of making personalized nanomedical approaches to imaging and treating cancer a clinical reality.