Targeting HPV to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Research Description

The human papillomavirus (HPV) contains an oncoprotein called E5 that helps this virus transform a normal cell into a cancer cell. We are studying the mechanism that E5 uses to transform cells. It appears that a cellular membrane receptor, called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is altered by E5. Since EGFR is increased in cancer cells, we are testing the hypothesis that E5 induces cancer by increasing EGFR on cell membranes by decreasing the normal cell pathway that disposes of EGFR.

Cervical cells that appear to be partially transformed into cancer are being evaluated with microarrays to identify molecules that may be involved in the cancer process. These molecules will be candidates for biomarkers to identify cancer in patients and targets to develop new prevention and treatment strategies.

Research Members

Investigator	Member Status	Department
Doris M. Benbrook, MD	Full	Obstetrics and Gynecology, OUHSC
Brian Ceresa, PhD	Full	Cell Biology, OUHSC
Terrence Dunn, MD	Associate	Pathology, OUHSC
Joan Walker, MD	Full	Obstetrics and Gynecology, OUHSC
Dee Wu, PhD	Associate	Radiological Science and Medical Physiology, OUHSC
Adam Zlotnick, PhD	Full	Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OUHSC
Rosemary Zuna, PhD	Associate	Pathology, OUHSC