Role of XIAP in endocrine cancer (ovarian and thyroid)

Research area

| cancer therapeutics

Keywords

| cancer, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, granulosa cell tumour, therapeutics, signalling pathways, transcription factors, nuclear receptors, estrogen, XIAP, apoptosis

Research group

| Hormone Cancer Therapeutics, Centre for Endocrinology and Reproductive Health

Suitability

| PhD/Doctorate, Honours, Masters, BMedSc(Hons)

Contact supervisors at any time

Associate Professor Simon Chu
e: simon.chu@hudson.org.au

Professor Peter Fuller AM

Dr Michael Mond

Project description

The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a member of a family of endogenous caspase inhibitors that act as antiapoptotic factors. XIAP is the most potent caspase inhibitor, blocking both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signals through direct caspase binding. Due to its prominent ability to control cell death and elevated expression in human cancers, XIAP has become an attractive therapeutic target for novel anti-cancer treatment. Small-molecule inhibitors are in various stages of development, from preclinical to phase II clinical trials.

XIAP has an important role in both ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer. This project will explore the efficacy of inhibiting XIAP in combination with targeting a key nuclear receptor in both cancers. Using unique in vitro systems with innovative technology and novel therapeutic compounds, the ultimate goal is to provide an essential pre-clinical, proof-of-concept approach for translation to the clinic.

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