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Dan  Theodorescu
Degree(s): M.D., Ph.D.
Graduate School: Queens University; University of Toronto
Primary Appointment: Professor of Urology
Research Interests:
Cell Signaling in Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, Metastasis Suppressor genes, Biomarkers, Translational Research in Prostate and Bladder Cancer.

Email Address: dt9d@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Molecular Medicine
    • Research Description

    Basic Science Research

    • My laboratory conducts basic research on cellular and molecular aspects of tumor invasion and metastasis with a special emphasis on prostate and bladder cancer. Our main interests are in 1) understanding the mechanism of action of RhoGDI2 , which we have recently identified as a metastasis suppressor gene in human cancer; 2) defining the relationship and importance of the small GTPase Ral family which has been shown by our laboratory to be important in prostate and bladder cancer metastasis as well as the former tumor’s androgen independence; 3) Developing novel therapeutic approaches aimed at inhibition of Ral protein activity and/or its effectors such as CD24 thus potentially treating or preventing the development of metastatic disease. 4) Developing novel therapeutic approaches aimed at mimicking RhoGDI2 activity in cancer cells thus potentially treating or preventing the development of metastatic disease.
    • To study these problems we routinely employ molecular biology , genetics , cell biology , biochemical , bioinformatics , cell motility imaging , orthotropic xenograft and transgenic models of disease and evaluation of human tissues.


    Translational Research
    • Prognostic Tumor Markers: We have several ongoing research efforts directed at the development of novel prostate and bladder tumor markers. These markers are aimed at addressing needs in 1) tumor diagnosis; 2) tumor prognostication (i.e. tumor recurrence or progression);
    • Predictive Tumor Markers / Personalized Treatment: We have developed a novel approach that can provide therapeutic guidance to physicians in the treatment of cancer patients. This approach , called COXEN , which can also be used for drug discovery.

    Rotation Student Research

    • Rotation students coming to the lab have been involved in well delineated "mini-projects" that are thematically consistent with the laboratory's interests and goals. These projects are individually tailored to the student's interest and are structured to afford the opportunity for the student to test a scientific hypothesis as well as broaden their appreciation of science and technical abilities in bench research.

    Selected Publications
  • Lee JK, Havaleshko DM, Cho H, Weinstein JN, Kaldjian EP, Karpovich J, Grimshaw A, Theodorescu D. A strategy for predicting the chemosensitivity of human cancers and its application to drug discovery. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Aug 7;104(32):13086-91
  • Smith SC, Oxford G, Wu Z, Nitz MD, Conaway M, Frierson HF, Hampton G, Theodorescu D. The metastasis-associated gene CD24 is regulated by Ral GTPase and is a mediator of cell proliferation and survival in human cancer. Cancer Res. 2006 Feb 15;66(4):1917-22.
  • Oxford G, Owens CR, Titus BJ, Foreman TL, Herlevsen MC, Smith SC, Theodorescu D.RalA and RalB: antagonistic relatives in cancer cell migration. Cancer Res. 2005 Aug 15;65(16):7111-20.
  • Gildea JJ, Seraj MJ, Oxford G, Harding MA, Hampton GM, Moskaluk CA, Frierson HF, Conaway MR, Theodorescu D. RhoGDI2 is an invasion and metastasis suppressor gene in human cancer. Cancer Res. 2002 Nov 15;62(22):6418-23.
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800422, Private Clinics 2nd Floor, 2552, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-0042
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-3652
      Web Site: http://www.uvamellon.org

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