How We Do It
The Kalady Lab research experts creatively and effectively use every resource available to reach their ultimate goal: to improve the lives of colorectal cancer patients everywhere.
These research scientists develop and utilize patient-derived samples, cell cultures and murine in vivo models. The ultimate goal: to develop translational results that lead to more personalized and effective colorectal cancer treatments. One aspect that differentiates this lab team from others is that all processes and research are driven by the desire to find solutions to clinical problems while using a variety of approaches. By recognizing that cancer formation and treatment are complex and cannot be explained by a single gene or mechanism, the Kalady Lab team approaches its work by involving an array of models, including patient-derived samples as mentioned above (including fresh frozen cancers, organoids, serum, DNA and RNA), cancer cell lines, cancer stem cell lines and murine xenograft models.
Within these systems, the team uses multiomic methodologies, including studying the transcriptome, metagenome and metabolome. By linking these models to clinical outcomes, the Kalady Lab team works to solve questions that can be brought back to and applied to patient care.
Breakthroughs and Discoveries
Within the past five years, the Kalady Lab team has made multiple medical and research breakthroughs. Chief among them is identifying novel functions of a gene called coenzyme A synthase (COASY).
Originally known to be involved only in the de novo synthesis of called coenzyme A, the Kalady research team discovered COASY’s predominant role in radiation resistance in rectal cancer, and it has defined the mechanism as acting through modulation of the survival pathway PI3K activation.
More recently, the team discovered a link between microbial metabolites and colorectal cancer. Originating from gut bacteria, the metabolite has strong anticancer properties in multiple in vitro settings and in in vivo models. The team’s studies also show the metabolite’s capacity to potentiate the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy, 5-fluorouracil.
In addition to studying cancer, the lab’s research team also studies inherited precancerous conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis, for which patients have a nearly 100% risk of developing colorectal cancer. Because of this, the Kalady Lab team has established a biobank of precancerous polyps from these patients and has developed 3D organoid models. This organoid platform can be used to test novel pharmaceutical compounds to determine possible optimal treatments for patients affected by this condition.
With multiple novel discoveries relating to cancer treatment resistance, the Kalady Lab’s research experts are working on translating these discoveries into clinical practice, which could very well decrease cancer development and increase cancer cures.