Xiaochun Chen, PhD

Development of drugs that downregulate microRNAs associated with drug resistance

A key issue in the treatment of acute leukemias, as well as other cancers is the development of resistance. Recently a small set of microRNAs (miRs) including miR-125b were found to be associated with drug resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. In this proposal, Dr. Chen will conduct a high-throughput screen to identify clinically-approved compounds that can decrease the levels of these drug resistance-associated miRs, starting with miR-125b. These novel targeted miR-downregulating drugs may decrease the impact of chemotherapeutic drug resistance