Zhen Fan, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Experimental Therapeutics
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
2009-2010 BCRF Project:
Co-Investigator:
John Mendelsohn, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Breast tumor kinase (Brk) is an enzyme protein that is expressed in the tumors of approximately two-thirds of breast cancer patients. Thanks to the BCRF grant support, The Fan-Mendelsohn research team was able to identify the molecular mechanism through which Brk functions as an indispensable oncogenic partner for the so called HER (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) family proteins that are critical for tumorigenesis, progression and invasion/metastasis of human breast cancer. In 2009-2010, the Fan-Mendelsohn team will continue their study to gain mechanistic insights into the impact of Brk on HER2-mediated functions in breast cancer. Understanding of these mechanisms will guide development of new drugs targeting Brk.
Mid-Year Progress Report:
Thanks to BCRF grant support, the Fan-Mendelsohn research team is able to conduct innovative studies to understand the functional roleof Brk in breast cancer. Their findings may lead to development of new drugs against this protein for treating breast cancer. Over the past 4-month period, they focused their study on the interaction between Brk and HER2.
Bio:
Zhen Fan was awarded his medical degree in 1985 from the Medical School of Shanghai Medical University, one of the most prestigious medical schools in China. In 1988, Dr. Fan completed additional studies at the Graduate School of the same university. He served medical residency at Zhong Shan Hospital of Shanghai Medical University from 1988 to 1991. In 1991, he joined Dr. John Mendelsohn's laboratory as a postdoctoral research fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, focusing on studies of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor as a target for cancer therapy. From 1994 to 1995, he was a Research Associate in the Program of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics; in 1996, he joined the faculty as an Assistant Molecular Biologist in the Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In late 1996, Dr. Fan moved to Houston and joined the faculty of The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. He is currently associate professor of medicine and directs an independent laboratory in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics.
Dr. Fan has made considerable contributions to our understanding of the mechanism and development of the EGF receptor monoclonal antibody C225 (also known as ERBITUX) as a novel anticancer agent. C225 is now a leading drug candidate for inhibiting EGF receptor function in human cancer. He and his colleagues demonstrated that C225 can exert additive or even synergistic cytotoxic effects against well-established human tumor xenografts growing in athymic (nude) mice when administered concurrently with chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy. These seminal studies provided the impetus and preclinical rationale for the ongoing clinical phase II and III trials with C225 in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in cancer patients.
Dr. Fan's current research interests focus on identification and validation of new cancer targets involved in growth factor receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways. He hopes to find better cancer molecular therapeutic approaches for potential clinical applications, particularly, in breast cancer patients.
