Caius Gabriel Radu

Professor, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles

Professor, Surgery, University of California Los Angeles

310-825-1205

AR-175 CHS
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Work Email Address:
caiusradu@ucla.edu

Websites

http://faculty.pharmacology.ucla.edu/institution/personnel?personnel_id=148639

Radu Lab

UC Profile

My group aims to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes at the interface between metabolic and signal transduction networks in cancer, immune cells, and stromal cells and leverage this knowledge to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We have established a highly integrated research program, including state-of-the-art instrumentation for both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Mass Spectrometry platforms (for metabolomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics), as well as an interdisciplinary team of investigators at UCLA and other institutions, with expertise in molecular imaging, cancer metabolism, immunobiology, signal transduction, structural biology, radiochemistry, medicinal chemistry, and virology. The potential of the program is demonstrated by recent work which uncovered a new role for the nucleoside salvage pathway in hematopoiesis, developed new PET probes for nucleotide metabolism, several of which have been successfully translated to the clinic, and discovered novel small molecule inhibitors of a metabolic kinase, from which a clinical candidate compound with low nanomolar affinity and oral bioavailability has emerged with indications in selected solid tumors and autoimmune disorders, and has entered Phase I clinical trials in Fall 2021. An additional area of research for my group concerns the immunobiology of pancreatic and prostate cancers. In this area, we seek to identify novel immunometabolic checkpoints that a) are governed by nucleosides and nucleotides, b) are interconnected with pattern recognition receptor and MAPK signaling pathways, and c) are amenable to pharmacological modulation alone or in combination with mutation-targeted therapies and immunotherapies. To facilitate the development of new therapies targeting these immunometabolic checkpoints, we are developing novel molecular imaging approaches capable of providing reliable pharmacodynamic biomarkers.

Research Interests

Our group aims to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes at the interface between metabolic and signal transduction networks in cancer, and to leverage this knowledge towards the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that will improve patient care. The group has established the essential components of an integrated research program, including state-of-the-art instrumentation for both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Mass Spectrometry assays, as well as an interdisciplinary team of investigators at UCLA and other institutions, with expertise in metabolism, cancer biology, signal transduction, structural biology, radiochemistry, molecular imaging, and medicinal chemistry. The potential of the program is demonstrated by recent work which uncovered a new role for the nucleoside salvage pathway in hematopoiesis, identified a metabolic kinase as a new therapeutic target in cancer, developed new PET probes for nucleotide metabolism, several of which have been successfully translated to the clinic, and discovered novel small molecule inhibitors of deoxycytidine kinase, from which a clinical candidate compound with low nanomolar affinity and oral bioavailability has emerged with potential indications in leukemia and selected solid tumors. We are currently focused on three research areas: 1) elucidating the interplay between mutant KRAS signaling, metabolism and immunomodulatory mechanisms in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; 2) identification and targeting of innate and adaptive resistance mechanisms to radioligand therapy in prostate cancer; 3) development of novel therapeutic approaches to modulate cancer metabolism.

Biography

Caius G. Radu, M.D. is Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology.

Awards and Honors

  • Challenge Award, Prostate Cancer Foundation, 2019-2021.
  • Challenge Award, Prostate Cancer Foundation, 2017-2019.

Publications