Koong Laboratory
Albert C. Koong, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
- Departments, Labs and Institutes
- Labs
- Koong Laboratory
Areas of Research
- Breast Cancer Research
- Pancreatic Cancer Research
- Myeloma Research
- Radiation Therapy Research
- Drug Development Research
- Immunotherapy Research
The major focus of the Koong Laboratory is to investigate hypoxia regulated signaling pathways that contribute to tumor growth and resistance to anti-cancer therapy.
Our Research
We have previously shown that the IRE1-XBP1 pathway, a key component of the unfolded protein response (UPR), was activated by hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Since identifying IRE1-XBP1 as a potential therapeutic target in cancer, the lab of Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., has completed a high throughput small molecule screen of >120,000 compounds for inhibitors of this pathway. His laboratory has identified a class of compounds that selectively inhibits IRE1 and demonstrates potent anti-cancer activity. We developed several computational biology methods of analyzing the drug screening data to improve the efficiency of drug discovery. Recently, we completed a genome wide siRNA screen to identify other genes that are required for the activation of IRE1. Studies investigating the mechanisms IRE1 activation will lead to the development of novel cancer therapeutics targeting this pathway.
His clinical interest is in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly pancreatic cancer. He has pioneered the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for pancreatic cancer. The translational focus of the Koong Laboratory is to identify cancer biomarkers that facilitate clinical decision making.
Funding
1. RP190192, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Pharmacological targeting of the IRE1/XBP1 pathway for triple-negative breast cancer therapy
2. 3P30CA016672, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging
3. ROSI Particle Therapy Pillar Seed Award, Division of Radiation Oncology, The UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Harnessing the Tumor Microenvironment and DNA Repair Defects Using He- and C-Ions for Enhanced Anti-tumor Immunity
Meet the team
The Koong Lab is supported by an experienced research team.
Selected Publications
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Practical Radiation Oncology, 2019
Radiation Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer: Executive Summary of an ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline
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Pancreas, 2019
Predicting Pancreatic Cancer Resectability and Outcomes Based on an Objective Quantitative Scoring System
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Nature, 2018
Altered exocrine function can drive adipose wasting in early pancreatic cancer
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Molecular Cancer Research, 2018
A Human Genome-wide RNAi Screen Reveals Diverse Modulators that Mediate IRE1α-XBP1 Activation
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JAMA Oncology, 2018
Association of Alterations in Main Driver Genes With Outcomes of Patients With Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
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JCO Precision Oncology, 2017
Comprehensive Analysis of the Unfolded Protein Response in Breast Cancer Subtypes
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Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, 2017
Chemical Space Mimicry for Drug Discovery
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Nature, 2016
Reprogramming the immunological microenvironment through radiation and targeting Axl
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Science Reports, 2016
Identification of Doxorubicin as an Inhibitor of the IRE1 XBP1 Axis of the Unfolded Protein Response
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Cancer, 2015
Phase 2 Multi-Institutional Trial Evaluating Gemcitabine and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
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Blood, 2011
Identification of an Ire1alpha Endonuclease Specific Inhibitor with Cytotoxic Activity Against Human Multiple Myeloma
Join Our Lab
Contact Information
Albert C. Koong, M.D., Ph.D., FACR, FASTRO
Professor and Division Head, Division of Radiation Oncology
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology
Olga Keith and Harry Carothers Wiess Distinguished University Chair in Cancer Research
The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Radiation Oncology
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Unit 1422
Houston, TX 77030-4009
Office 713-563-2300
@ACKoongMDPhD