Dr. Bruce Zetter

Biography

Bruce Robert Zetter is a prominent researcher in the field of Cancer Biology, focusing on highly aggressive, metastatic, late-stage cancers. His work emphasizes the distinctions between aggressive tumors and primary tumors, particularly in their response to drugs. Zetter has developed various models for studying late-stage cancer that involve monitoring changes in gene and protein expression, measuring cellular phenotype changes associated with metastasis, and screening for drugs targeted specifically at late-stage cancers. His use of proteomics tools has led to the identification of proteins that alter tumor progression in breast, pancreas, prostate, and bladder cancers. Zetter's research includes the development of tests for biomarkers crucial for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. Recently, he has focused on cancer drug resistance, uncovering that pre-existing subpopulations of tumor cells can grow in response to certain drugs. His work has demonstrated that the protein Prohibitin1 (Phb1) is upregulated in drug-resistant populations, and strategies involving Phb1 silencing have shown potential in retarding tumor growth and resensitizing cancer cells. Zetter is also exploring compounds that antagonize late-stage tumors and aims to derive novel drug versions with increased solubility and bioavailability for future clinical trials.

Research Interests