NCTR Research Highlights

Office of Women's Health Studies
Scientists from the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) presented their research results at the Office of Women's Health Breast Cancer and Mammography Seminar on April 6, 2010. NCTR's research results demonstrated that genetic variations and epigenetic inactivation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) play a significant role in breast-cancer causation and treatment. The inactivation of UGTs appears to 1) enhance the sensitivity of estrogen-responsive tissues to free estrogen, thus increasing the potential risk of breast cancer; and 2) decrease the clearance of tamoxifen metabolites, thus increasing its toxicity. Genetic variations in UGTs, which result in low expression and reduced activity, have been the most studied. However, epigenetic regulation of UGTs through methylation or histone deacetylation can not only inactivate genes, but can also be reversible—having profound effects on gene expression. The epigenetic control of UGTs are being studied as a possible explanation for the higher mortality rate in premenopausal women with breast cancer in minority populations.

For additional information, please contact Beverly Lyn-Cook, Ph.D., Office of the Director, FDA/NCTR.



Stem Cell Workshop
NCTR and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute hosted a workshop on April 13, 2010, to provide an opportunity for scientists to network and establish new collaborations for stem-cell research. Following the workshop, keynote speaker Steven R. Bauer, Ph.D., Chief, Cellular and Tissue Therapies Branch, CBER, visited NCTR on April 14, 2010, to further discuss the potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine.

For additional information, please contact Amy Inselman, Ph.D., and Vijayalakshmi Varma, Ph.D., Division of Personalized Nutrition and Medicine, FDA/NCTR.



Nanomaterials
Anil K. Patri, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), visited NCTR on April 15, 2010, to discuss the importance of physico-chemical characterization of nanomaterials in biological assessment and outcomes. As part of a continuing collaboration under a Memorandum-of-Understanding between FDA and NCI, NCTR and NCL will evaluate nanotechnology in the context of adverse-drug effects and interspecies pharmacokinetic comparisons.

For additional information, please contact Paul Howard, Ph.D., Associate Director, Office of Scientific Coordination, FDA/NCTR.



Imaging and Immunotoxicology
Scott W. Burchiel, Ph.D., Director, New Mexico Center for Isotopes in Medicine, visited NCTR on April 16, 2010, to discuss collaborations and advancements in imaging technologies and assessment of immune response following exposure to nanomaterials.

For additional information, please contact William Slikker, Ph.D., Director, FDA/NCTR.

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NCTR Research Highlights