University at Albany Hogarty Lecture to Feature Renowned Cancer Researcher Susan Cole March 26

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 11, 2015) -- Renowned cancer researcher Susan P.C. Cole, Ph.D., will deliver the 6th Annual Hogarty Lecture on “Improving Cancer Treatment: Understanding the Role of Drug Resistance,” at the University at Albany’s Cancer Research Center on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m. Established through the generosity of Daniel J. Hogarty and the Hogarty Family Foundation, an endowed fund provides support for a public lecture program through the University at Albany’s Cancer Research Center. The Hogarty Family Foundation Lectures provide information to the community about a broad range of topics related to cancer, cancer genomics and cancer research.

Cole is the Bracken Chair of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, and the Canada Research Chair in Cancer Biology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.

Her research has concentrated on investigating biological mechanisms that resist anticancer drugs. Multidrug resistance impedes the successful treatment of many cancers. Scientists believe the key to resolving this challenge lies in research focused on identifying the biological mechanisms that obstruct cancer treatment drugs and determining how they do so: breaking down such obstacles will, in turn, improve treatment for cancer patients.

Turning the Tide on Cancer

Cole’s achievements have had a major effect on cancer research worldwide. Most notably, she co-discovered a new class of multidrug resistant proteins that shield tumor cells from anticancer drugs. These proteins act as pumps on the plasma membranes of tumor cells and prevent the toxic agent from accumulating to a level that is lethal to the cell.

Her research has since revealed these proteins may also protect normal cells from chemical toxins, such as those found in cigarette smoke.

In 1992, Cole and her colleagues cloned a new multidrug resistance drug efflux pump, now known as MRP1, from drug resistant lung cancer cells. Her paradigm-shifting 1992 Science article first describing the cloning of the MRP1 transporter protein has been cited more than 2,500 times.

Cole earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and a Ph.D. in pharmacology at Queen’s. After postdoctoral studies at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., where she studied chemical carcinogenesis, Cole returned to Queen’s where she is Professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine.

Cole is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She has received many awards, including the Robert L. Noble Prize of the Canadian Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute of Canada Diamond Jubilee Award. In 2012, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She was Deputy and Senior Editor of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (2000-2012) and currently sits on the editorial board of Molecular Pharmacology.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin in the Massry Conference Center at 6 p.m. A reception will begin at 5:15 p.m. in advance of the lecture. Seating is limited. Those attending are asked to R.S.V.P. by March 19 via email at [email protected] or by phone at (518) 442-5310.

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