Joint Fellowship Training Program

Mentors:
Baolin Zhang, Ph.D.

Position and Organizational Affiliation:
Principal Investigator, Division of Therapeutic Proteins (DTP), Office of Biotechnology Products (OBP), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), FDA

Contact Information (email/phone):
baolin.zhang@fda.hhs.gov/301-827-1784

Running Title of Program:
Molecular regulation of drug-induced apoptosis

Research Project Summary:
Drug resistance is a major obstacle in cancer treatment. We investigate the molecular mechanisms by which chemotherapy kills cancer cells with particular interest in the defects in cell death pathways. Our goal is to identify biomarkers for prediction of tumor sensitivity to different chemotherapies.

Proposed project for IOTF fellow:
The Fellow will participate in an FDA Critical Path project to study the resistance mechanisms of cancer cells to a class of protein products targeting the cell surface death receptors, including the recombinant human TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its agonistic antibodies.

Regulatory Activity:
The Division of Therapeutic Proteins (DTP) regulates a broad range of protein drug products for treating human cancer and other diseases. The PI has eight years experience in reviewing investigational new drug applications (INDs) and pre-INDs. The Fellow will participate in the review of manufacturing and quality controls of oncology protein products as a part of an interdisciplinary team.

References:

1. Yaqin Zhang, Tatsushi Yoshida, and Baolin Zhang (2009) TRAIL induces internalization of its death receptors in breast cancer cells. Cancer Biology & Therapy. 8(10): 917-922.
2. Yaqin Zhang, Leslie Rivera-Rosado, Sun Yung Moon, and Baolin Zhang (2009) Silencing of D4-GDI inhibits growth and invasive behavior in MDA-MB-231 cells by activation of Rac-dependent p38 and JNK signaling. J. Biol. Chem., 284:12956-12965.
3. Yaqin Zhang and Baolin Zhang (2008) TRAIL resistance of breast cancer cells is associated with constitutive endocytosis of death receptor-4 and -5. Mol. Cancer Res, 6(12):1861-71.
4. Baolin Zhang (2006) Rho GDP dissociation inhibitors as potential targets for anticancer treatment. Drug Resistance Updates. 9, 134-141.
5. Di Sun, Duo Xu, and Baolin Zhang (2006) Rac signaling in tumorigenesis and as target for anticancer drug development. Drug Resistance Updates, 9, 274-287.