Sita Withers
LSU, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Project Title
Strategic inhibition of EGFR-family signaling using novel peptidomimetic inhibitors of HER-2 for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Mentor
Konstantin G. Kousoulas, Ph.D., Louisiana State University, Department of Pathobiological Science
Funding Period
Project (June 1, 2021 - February 28, 2024)
Biosketch
As a clinician-scientist in the field of veterinary medical oncology I have chosen to focus my research on therapeutic targets in human and canine osteosarcoma. My current position as an Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University enables me to pursue my long-term goals of translating bench-top findings into clinical advancements for patients with osteosarcoma. Much of my PhD work suggested a key role for innate inflammation in the modulation of osteosarcoma behavior in canine patients. Therefore, my current focus is on understanding how sarcoma cells interact with innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, and how these interactions effect patient outcome and may be exploited for therapeutic benefit.
Abstract
This proposal will identify novel treatment strategies for osteosarcoma, which has a 5-year survival rate of 70%. The expression of tyrosine kinase receptors (e.g. epidermal growth factor receptors and others) in human and canine osteosarcomas and has correlated with a poor outcome in some human studies. Using high-throughput, comparative in vitro models, 3D bioprinting, and murine and canine models of osteosarcoma, Dr. Withers will evaluate a range of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Strategic combination treatments will be investigated by utilizing high-throughput sequencing and molecular biomarkers of response. The hypothesis of this proposal is that optimal combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for treatment of osteosarcoma will be identified by utilizing high-throughput screening techniques and in depth analysis of gene expression. Dr. Withers’ approach includes evaluation in a naturally-occurring canine osteosarcoma model, which models human osteosarcoma more closely than murine models.