![Susan Mertins](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090130222958im_/http://spheroid.ncifcrf.gov/spheroid/stb/images/mertins.jpg)
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Susan Mertins, Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute-Frederick
Address: Building 440
Frederick, MD 21702-1201
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Current Interests
The laboratory efforts are focused on developing cell-based screens that
will allow identification of novel pharmacophores targeted to renal cell
carcinoma (RCC). Approximately 30,000 individuals per year in the US are
diagnosed with RCC; one third present with metastatic disease. At present,
little or no systemic therapy is available. Applied and basic research
approaches are taken.
1. Cell-Based Screen Directed at the b-catenin Pathway. Because b-catenin,
a transcription factor that regulates cell growth and survival, plays
an integral part in oncogenesis, a high throughput screen that detects
changes in its translocation to the nucleus is being developed. "Screening"
hits will be evaluated using a bioinformatic approach that may define
a common pharmacophore. Potential leads will be further studied based
on novel chemical structures and/or targets.
2. Intrinsic Drug Resistance Mediated by the Extracellular Matrix (ECM).
Recent findings support a role for the ECM in mediating drug resistance
in RCC. Although this drug resistance can be extreme, it does depend on
the cell line and compound under evaluation. Notably, almost all compounds
that have clinical utility were found to be largely ineffective. Thus,
studies are aimed at evaluating the mechanisms of intrinsic drug resistance
in this model. Furthermore, this in vitro model allows for the development
of a cell-based screen aimed at discovering compounds that have a sensitivity
profile in RCC.
Interactive Interests
- Bioinformatics with expertise in the 3-D Mind Toolkit (http://spheroid.ncifcrf.gov).
- Hypothesis development linking molecular targets and compounds.
- 3-D Molecular Modeling using commercially available software such as
Catalyst and Ras-Mol.
Credentials
Dr. Mertins received her Ph.D. in 1995 from the Department of Microbiology
and Immunology at the George Washington University, Washington DC. She
also received her B.S. (1980) and M.S. (1984) from the Biology Department
in the same institution. Dr. Mertins has over 20 years of experience in
laboratory research.
Recent Publications
Mertins, SD, Meyers, T, Bodde, E, Tsai, P, Jefferis, C, Gupta, R, Linehan,
WM, Alley, M, Bates, SE. 2001. Screening for and identification of novel
agents directed at renal cell carcinoma. Clin Can Res 7: 620.
Sandor, V, Senderewicz, A, Mertins, SD, Sackett, D, Sausville, E, Blagosklonny,
MV, Bates, SE. 2000. P21-dependent G1 arrest with down regulation of cyclin
D1 and upregulation of cyclin E by the histone deacetylase inhibitor FR901228.
Br J Cancer 83: 817.
Mertins, SD, Gamelin, E, Regis, JT, Mickley, L, Abati, A, Worrell, RA,
Linehan, WM, Bates, SE. 1999. Comparison of drug resistance in primary
and metastatic renal carcinoma (RCC) lines. J Urol 162: 217
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