The focus of Dr. Marilene Wang's research laboratory is to explore the molecular basis for the development and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Advanced head and neck cancer carries a poor prognosis, and a goal of this lab is to search for more effective and less toxic treatments for this devastating disease. Current research projects include:

1. Studies of curcumin suppression of head and neck cancer. Curcumin is a naturally occurring plant phenol that is a commonly used spice, also known as turmeric. Wang's laboratory has found that curcumin treatment of HNSCC both in vitro and in vivo results in significant suppression of growth. In addition, a liposomal curcumin formulation can be given intravenously in vivo to inhibit xenograft HNSCC tumor growth, without toxicity to the animal. The molecular pathway involved is independent of pAKT and complementary to cisplatin’s mechanism of action. Thus, treatment of HNSCC with curcumin combined with cisplatin and/or an EGFR inhibitor such as cetuximab holds promise for development of clinical treatment protocols.
2. Studies of stem cells in head and neck cancer. A specific population of tumor-initiating cells, or tumor stem cells, is responsible for the uncontrolled growth of cancers, as well as their resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Wang's laboratory has found that the population of CD44 positive cells within HNSCCs, when isolated, grows more quickly and is more resistant to cisplatin than CD44 negative cells. One goal is to target HNSCC stem cells for treatment with curcumin, which because of its alternate mechanism of action compared to cisplatin, may inhibit growth of these stem cells.