Dantzer Laboratory
Robert Dantzer, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Areas of Research
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairments
- Cancer Neuroscience
- Mitochondria
The Dantzer Lab in MD Anderson's Department of Symptom Research has expanded the department's ongoing descriptive research and intervention trials to include animal models of fatigue, anhedonia, and cognitive impairment. The knowledge gained from this work can then be applied to the rational design of novel interventions for alleviating symptom burden in patients with cancer. Current efforts include testing the hypothesis that cancer-related fatigue emerges from a competition between the energy requirements of physical exercise and those of the tumor, exacerbated by treatment-related mitochondrial dysfunction and transmitted to the brain via mitokines.
Our Research Goal
The overall goal of the Dantzer Lab is to increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer therapy-induced neurobehavioral toxicities, including depressed mood, cognitive dysfunction, and fatigue.
Current Research
The Dantzer Lab is supported by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the US National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).
Proposed Model for Cancer-Associated Fatigue
Funding: The National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health (grant # R01CA193522: The Metabolic Basis of Cancer-Related Fatigue, and grant # R21NS130712: Mitokines as New Targets for Fatigue Induced by Mitochondrial Stress)
Image: In response to the energy demand of physical exercise, the liver maintains blood glucose levels by suppressing glucose import and glycolysis and favoring gluconeogenesis. Lactate, produced by exercising muscles, is converted to glucose via the Cori cycle, thereby providing fuel for further skeletal muscle utilization (left). In tumor-bearing mice (right), this adaptive response is suppressed as the tumor captures the Cori cycle for its own needs. This leads to decreased glucose availability and accumulation of lactate in the skeletal muscles, limiting further exertion (image adapted from Grossberg et al., Brain Behav Immun 2020).
News and Accolades
Join Our Lab
We highly value hard work, curiosity, innovation, teamwork and professional development in combination with a healthy work/life balance. We seek strong postdoctoral fellows to add to our team.
Open Positions
Search MD Anderson's Careers website to view open positions.
Have questions? Contact Dr. Dantzer to learn more about joining our team.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
Department of Symptom Research
1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1055
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-794-5297
Fax: 832-750-5153
Physical Location
MD Anderson Cancer Center Zayed Building
6565 MD Anderson Boulevard, Suite Z8.5000
Houston, Texas 77030
Administrative Support
Administrative support (operations, grants, protocols) for the Dantzer Lab is provided by the Department of Symptom Research.
Phone: 713-745-3470
Fax: 713-745-3475