| All cancers result from the aberrant growth of previously normal cells. As the understanding of the molecular basis of cancer develops, scientists are able to identify the specific proteins whose mutation is responsible for the cancerous phenotype. Often, the cause of the cancer is the over-production of proteins that stimulate the cancer cells to grow in an uncontrolled fashion. Two such proteins have been recognized as potentially playing a key role in bronchioalveolar carcinoma (BAC) - HER2 and EGFR. We propose to develop novel methods by which to prevent these proteins being made in the cell, by interfering with the pathway by which they fold. As a result of these studies, we will not only gain a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of BAC, but also make progress towards developing novel therapeutic treatments for the disease.
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