Role of XIAP in Endocrine Cancer (Ovarian and Thyroid)

The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a member of a family of endogenous caspase inhibitors that act as antiapoptotic factors. XIAP is the most potent caspase inhibitor, blocking both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signals through direct caspase binding. Due to its prominent ability to control cell death and elevated expression in human cancers, XIAP has become an attractive therapeutic target for novel anti-cancer treatment. Small-molecule inhibitors are in various stages of development, from preclinical to phase II clinical trials. XIAP has an important role in both ovarian cancer as well as in thyroid cancer. This project will explore the efficacy of inhibiting XIAP in combination with targeting a key nuclear receptor in both cancers using unique in vitro systems with innovative technology, novel therapeutic compounds with the ultimate goal of providing an essential pre-clinical, proof of concept approach for translation to the clinic.