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Robert T. Dorr, Ph.D.
Professor, Pharmacology
Director, Pharmacology Research Program
Arizona Cancer Center, P.O. Box 245024,
Tucson, Arizona, 85724-5024
Phone: 626-7892; Fax: 626-2751;
E-mail: bdorr@azcc.arizona.edu
EDUCATION:
-University of Arizona, 1974 (B.S.)-University of Arizona, 1978 (M.S.)
-University of Arizona, 1984 (Ph.D.)
MAJOR AREAS OF RESEARCH INTEREST:
- pharmacology of new anticancer agents and chemopreventive agents
-mechanisms of action in new anticancer agents and chemopreventive agents
-toxicology systems and mechanisms of action of cytotoxic anticancer agents
-pharmacokinetic disposition of new agents in animals and in human clinical trials
-antitumor effects in human tumor cells in vitro and in small animal (rodent) models
-toxicologic effects of these agents in vitro and in vivo
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Synthesis and molecular mechanisms of action are investigated in tumor cell lines and in animals bearing syngenic tumors or human tumors in SCID mice. Drug classes include both small molecules and peptidic drugs to treat or prevent cancer. A large program project grant is focused on redox agents to induce apoptosis, involving a novel class of agents, the cyanoaziridines. These agents bind to thiols, induce oxidation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis via the intrinsic (cytochrome c, caspases 3 and 9) pathway. Molecular pathways are explored using DNA microarrays, confocal microscopy and other molecular techniques. Structure-activity studies are pursued among several series of anticancer agents using standard synthetic techniques coupled to in vitro activity and mechanism of action surveys in different human cancer lines. In addition, novel chemopreventive agents are investigated for the preventio of skin cancer, also as part of a large program project grant. The overall goal of the program is to discover and validate new targets and series of agents to interact with these targets to treat or prevent cancer.
SPONSORED RESEARCH THROUGH MSRP:
Nicholas Roman (MSRP 2002): " Interaction of a-difluoromethyl ornithine and triamcinalone acetamide in RAS-transformed human keratinocytes."
HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH APPRENTICE SPONSORSHIP:
-Ellie Jean Heintze, Sabino High School, 2001
Last update:
11/23/2004
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