Microproteins represent an emerging class of drug targets. Historically, genome annotations excluded proteins under 100 amino acids, assuming they lacked function. However, recent discoveries show that microproteins play essential roles in cellular processes and disease, including cancer. Our lab is conducting systematically investigations of microproteins for their translation, function, and regulation in advanced prostate cancer.
Tumor-specific cell surface proteins are attractive targets for diverse therapeutic strategies, including radiation-based and immunotherapy approaches. However, significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity in their surface levels poses a major challenge to clinical efficacy and can contribute to therapy resistance. Our lab seeks to understand the regulatory networks that control the expression and dynamics of tumor-associated surface proteins. By defining these mechanisms, we aim to develop rational combinatorial strategies to enhance the precision and effectiveness of targeted cancer therapies.