Project Investigator Biography

Leland W. Chung, Ph.D. Emory University 1365B Clifton Road, NE, Suite B5101, Atlanta, GA 30322 phone: (404) 778-3672 fax: (404) 778-3665 email: lwchung@emory.edu

Dr. Leland Chung is a Professor and Director for the Molecular Urology and Therapeutics Program in the Department of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Chung serves as the Program Director for delineating tumor-microenvironment interaction with particular emphasis on extracellular matrix (ECM) integrin signaling that affects tumor growth, migration invasion and metastasis.

His studies are focused on characterizing integrin usage as prostate cancer proceeds from androgen-dependent to its androgen-independent state, using a cell model of prostate carcinogenesis. Tissue-specific and tumor-restrictive promoters are identified and cloned through cDNA microarray, using lineage-related human prostate cancer cell lines, and relevant genes will be cloned, characterized, and validated in clinical specimens. Efforts are made to co-target tumor and its microenvironment using adenoviral vectors and anti-angiogenic modifiers. To improve the understanding of prostate cancer bone metastasis and efficacy of molecular targeting, we are developing novel 3-D and transgenic models by delivering growth factor and extracellular matrices as chemoattractins for prostate cancer bone metastasis. Furthermore, various approaches are developed to image prostate cancer at both primary and distant metastatic sites using non-invasive imaging techniques.

Dr. Chung received his BS in Agricultural Chemistry from the National Taiwan University and his MS in Biochemistry from Oregon State University. He then attended the University of Oregon Medical School, where he obtained his Ph.D. in pharmacology.