Thresia K. Thomas, Ph.D.

Dr. Thresia Thomas conducts research centered on estrogens, polyamines, and breast cancer. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell growth are examined to understand how endogenous hormones and exogenous toxicants affect growth regulatory pathways. She is interested in the causation of breast cancer and the development of possible therapeutic and preventive agents. Her research on breast cancer has been supported by the National Institutes of Health for the last 19 years. Her work has contributed to the understanding of mechanisms of gene regulation by estradiol and polyamines. Polyamines are organic cations present in all cells. Her work identified the involvement of polyamines in estrogenic pathway of growth regulation in breast cancer cells. This work led to the design and synthesis of several polyamine analogues which arrest breast cancer cell growth.

Her objectives in the current studies are: (1) To elucidate the role of polyamines in cell signaling, transcription factor-DNA interactions and gene regulation (2) To examine the therapeutic potential of polyamine analogues in estrogen-responsive breast cancer cells, (3) To examine the mechanism of action of estradiol and its metabolites in cell cycle and cell proliferation, and (4) To characterize estrogen receptor conformation and functions using biochemical and physical chemical studies. Results of these studies are expected toprovide new insights into the mechanism of estrogens and polyamines and help to develop novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer.

Recent Publications  

1. Thomas, T., and Thomas T. J. (2003) Polyamine metabolism and cancer. J Cell. Mol. Med. 7: 113-126.  
2. Thomas, T., Gallo, M. A., Thomas, T. J. (2004) Estrogen receptors as targets for drug development for breast cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 4:483-499. 
3. Lewis, J. S., Thomas, T. J., Pestell, R. G., Albanese, C., Gallo, M. A., Thomas, T. (2005) Differential effects of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone and 2-methoxyestradiol on cyclin D1 involving the transcription factor ATF-2 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. J. Mol Endocrinol. 34: 91-105.  
4. Balabhadrapathruni, S., Santhakumaran, L. M., Thomas, T. J., Shirahata, A., Gallo, M. A., Thomas T. (2005) Bis(ethyl)norspermine potentiates the apoptotic activity of the pure antiestrogen ICI 182780 in breast cancer cells. Oncol Rep. 13: 101-108.
5. Venkiteswaran, S., Vijayanathan, V., Shirahata, A., Thomas, T., Thomas, T. J. (2005) Antisense recognition of the HER-2 mRNA: effects of phosphorothioate substitution and polyamines on DNA.RNA, RNA.RNA, and DNA.DNA duplex stability. Biochemistry. 44:303-312.  
6. Santhakumaran, L. M., Thomas, T., and Thomas, T. J. (2004) Enhanced cellular uptake of a triplex-forming oligonucleotide by nanoparticle formation in the presence of polypropylenimine dendrimers. Nucleic Acids Res. 32:2102-2112.