Marc Shuman, MD

Research Interests

The Shuman lab is focused on identifying novel transmembrane serine proteases in epithelial cancers including prostate and ovarian, as well as characterizing the function of these proteases. In collaboration with the laboratory of Charles Craik, PhD at UCSF, the lab discovered a novel member of this gene family, MT-SP1, that is expressed in normal prostate and over-expressed in prostate cancer. In addition, the lab is testing unique therapeutics that specifically inactive MT-SP1 including a recombinant single chain antibody. The Shuman lab is also characterizing the expression of several other members of the MT-SP family, and determining their role in cancer progression. Approaches that are being used include analysis of human prostate cancer tissues as well as studies in transgenic animals.

A new focus of the lab in collaboration with the laboratory of John Kurhanewicz, PhD is determining the relationship between gene expression and magnetic resonance spectroscopic patterns in prostate cancer tissue. A major goal is to develop a spectroscopic analysis more that is more specific for prostate cancer. Our goal is develop an improved diagnostic analysis of prostate cancer, as well as the ability to monitor the effects of chemopreventive drugs.

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