Yamada Lab in Department of Surgery at UIC
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|
Welcome to Yamada Lab in the Department of Surgery at UIC
The growth of cancer cells is influenced by many factors in the human host. The bacteria in humans also affect cancer growth. We found that secreted protein from P. aeruginosa, azurin, inhibits tumor growth by inducing G1 arrest and apoptosis. The 28 amino acids peptide, p28, was derived from azurin and showed cancer-specific entry and induction of apoptosis. In the Phase 1 clinical trial (NSC745104), p28 showed promising efficacy in pediatric brain cancer. As a cancer-targeting peptide, p28 can also be used to conjugate anti-cancer agents to successfully deliver the agents into cancer cells specifically.
Cancer-targeting peptides
If the cancer cells are left behind after surgery, they may grow again. Surgeons want to cut out all tumors in the operation room, but it is often very difficult to distinguish tumors or normal tissue. What if the cancer cells shine in the dark operating room? We used the cancer-targeting peptide, p28, to conjugate with the non-toxic dye ICG to help with intraoperative tumor imaging. With the visual help of ICG-p28, the risk of recurrence after dissection was significantly reduced in the animal models of breast cancer.
Intraoperative Imaging
