The main focus of our lab research is to elucidate the cellular basis and molecular determinants of prostate cancer (PCa) cell heterogeneity. Our work suggests that PCa cells are not all equal with respect to their tumorigenic and metastatic potential and there exist stem-like PCa cells or prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) that have the capacity to recreate the phenotypic and functional heterogeneities present in patient tumors. We have established that PCa cells are organized as a tumorigenic hierarchy with PCSCs being able to undergo asymmetric cell division and differentiate into PSA+ cells. The prostate CSC pool is heterogeneous containing multiple overlapping subsets of tumor cells that possess distinct tumor-initiating capacities. The laboratory has been pursuing the following research projects since 2002.

1. Normal prostate stem/progenitor cells and involvement in tumorigenesis

2. PCSCs in xenograft & patient tumors

3. PCSC involvement in metastasis

4. PCSC response to androgen deprivation & other therapeutics

5. PCSC self-renewal: Role of Nanog

6. PCSC epigenetic landscape

7. PCSC regulation by miRNAs

8. PCSC asymmetric cell division

9. PCSC therapeutics

These projects involve the use of primary human PCa samples and developing novel animal models. The ultimate goal of our research is to uncover the unique properties of PCSCs and design specific therapeutics to target them.