CURRENT RESEARCH: Prostate cancer chemoprevention: Prostate cancer accounts for over 35% of all cancers among men in the United States. Our long-term goal is to understand prostate cancer biology and to identify innovative prevention strategies. ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS: 1. CANCER BIOLOGY (a)Monitoring the changes in the molecular profile of prostate cancer using: (i) Transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) and (ii) MNU/testosterone-induced rat prostate cancer models. (See Image 1) 2. CHEMOPREVENTION (a) Inflammation and anti-inflammatory agents. (b) To identify potential chemopreventive agents (Pharmaceutical and Natural), that could down regulate specific gene and/or protein targets involved in pro state carcinogenesis. To achieve this goal we are currently using preclinical models and the cells derived from these models. We are testing potential anti-inflammatory agents against PCa to determine (c) COX-2 dependent and/or independent mechanisms. (d) Chemopreventive agents that are currently under investigation including NSAIDs (Celecoxib, sulindac sulfone and NS398) Funded by R01NIH/NCI grants. (e) Natural agents under investigation are: Resveratrol, Curcumin, Omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil), 9-cis retinoic acid, and Ellagic acid. 3. RNAi MEDIATED CANCER PREVENTION APPROACHES (a) RNAi mediated COX-2 inhibition indicating the role non-COX-2 targets and COX-2 independent mechanisms (funded by R03 NIH/NCI grant). (See Image 2) See our publications for relevant studies.