Ayesha Shafi, PhD

Dr. Shafi’s research is focused on defining the mechanisms and biomarkers of therapeutic resistance in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) with the goal to develop better treatment strategies. PCa is an androgen-dependent disease. Metastatic PCa is treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); although initially effective, tumors recur after 2-3 years and are then termed castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Intriguingly, CRPC remains largely androgen receptor (AR)-dependent, due to aberrant reactivation of AR through multiple distinct mechanisms that promote cell survival and proliferation. Currently, there is no definitive cure for CRPC. Thus, there is a vital need for the development of new avenues of clinical intervention in PCa to improve patient outcome.

Projects:
Our laboratory encompasses a translational research program that will directly impact the PCa field and advance clinical practice. The ongoing, highly innovative research projects in the laboratory will have significant implications for PCa by defining the biology of aggressive disease and significantly improving our current understanding of therapy resistance.

Utilizing molecular and translational methods, our lab is focused on several avenues of research including:

1. Elucidate novel insight into cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) and other circadian factors function in human tumors in order to identify new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
2. Leverage novel patient-derived models to predict therapeutic response in PCa.
3. Discern the impact of co-activators, such as CBP/p300, in disease progression.

In sum, these research projects will support the overarching goal to reduce progression of lethal disease and enhance efficacy of current standard-of-care therapeutics in PCa treatment.