Dr. Kazhdan studies various aspects of cancer, particularly breast cancer, and bone health. She investigates how certain proteins influence the survival of cancer cells, like the HER-2 protein's role in some breast cancers or how death receptor 4 can kill resistant cancer cells. In addition, her research explores innovative therapies, such as gene therapy using tBid, which targets specific genes in tumors to effectively kill cancer cells. She also examines how vitamin D and certain proteins can promote the growth of bone cells, which is vital for treating bone-related diseases like osteoporosis.
Key findings
Compounds 1 and 3 from her 2010 study showed significant activity against breast and ovarian cancer cells, indicating their potential for new treatments.
Blocking the protein Bid in her 2008 study prevented neuronal cell death from glutamate exposure, which can improve understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
Overproduction of death receptor 4 (DR4) in her 2004 study killed over 90% of certain breast cancer cells, highlighting a new pathway for treatment despite cell resistance to traditional therapies.
Her 2006 study revealed that targeted gene therapy using tBid effectively killed breast cancer cells by connecting to the Muc1 gene, paving the way for more personalized treatments.
In her research on bone formation, she found that the form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, enhances the growth of bone-forming cells, which may help in treating osteoporosis.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Kazhdan study breast cancer?
Yes, Dr. Kazhdan's work includes significant research on breast cancer, focusing on how proteins like HER-2 and DR4 influence cancer cell survival and treatment.
What treatments has Dr. Kazhdan researched?
She has researched targeted gene therapies for breast cancer and innovative compounds that show promise for killing cancer cells, as well as approaches to enhance bone cell growth.
Is Dr. Kazhdan's work relevant to patients with bone diseases?
Yes, her research on vitamin D and its effects on bone cell development is crucial for patients with conditions like osteoporosis and supports strategies for bone repair.
How does Dr. Kazhdan's work help neurodegenerative diseases?
Her research explores the mechanisms of neuronal cell death, which can lead to better understanding and potential treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's by targeting protein pathways involved in cell survival.
What are the implications of her breast cancer research?
Her findings on proteins that influence cancer cell death can inform new treatment strategies, helping to address drug resistance and improve outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Publications in plain English
Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity studies of palladium(II)-proflavine complexes.
2010
Journal of inorganic biochemistry
Polyanskaya TV, Kazhdan I, Motley DM, Walmsley JA
Plain English This study looked at new chemical compounds made from palladium and proflavine and how they affect cancer cells. The researchers created three different compounds and tested their ability to kill cancer cells. They found that compounds 1 and 3 were particularly effective, showing significant activity against breast and ovarian cancer cells. This research could help develop new treatments for these types of cancer.
Who this helps: Patients with breast and ovarian cancer.
Expression of HER-2 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells modulates anti-apoptotic proteins Survivin and Bcl-2 via the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) signalling pathways.
2008
BMC cancer
Siddiqa A, Long LM, Li L, Marciniak RA, Kazhdan I
Plain English This study focused on how the HER-2 protein, which is found in higher amounts in some breast cancers, affects cell survival in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Researchers found that increasing HER-2 levels led to higher amounts of two proteins, Bcl-2 and survivin, which help cancer cells resist death. Specifically, the activation of a signaling pathway called ERK was linked to this increase, while other pathways were not affected.
This matters because understanding how HER-2 promotes survival in cancer cells can help develop new treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.
Who this helps: Patients with HER-2 amplified breast cancer.
Bid-induced release of AIF from mitochondria causes immediate neuronal cell death.
2008
Cell death and differentiation
Landshamer S, Hoehn M, Barth N, Duvezin-Caubet S, Schwake G +10 more
Plain English This study investigated how certain proteins released from mitochondria contribute to the death of nerve cells when exposed to glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can be toxic in high amounts. Researchers found that after about 8-10 hours of glutamate exposure, a protein called AIF quickly moved from the mitochondria to the nucleus of the cell, leading to cell death within minutes. They discovered that blocking another protein, Bid, prevented this process and protected the cells from dying.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with neurodegenerative diseases by improving understanding of how nerve cells die, which could lead to better treatments.
Targeted gene therapy for breast cancer with truncated Bid.
2006
Cancer gene therapy
Kazhdan I, Long L, Montellano R, Cavazos DA, Marciniak RA
Plain English This study focused on a new cancer treatment approach that uses a protein called tBid to kill breast cancer cells by targeting specific genes that are active in tumors. Researchers found that when tBid was linked to the Muc1 gene, it effectively killed cancer cells, but this was not the case for two other genes, hTERT and Survivin. Understanding which genes are active in a tumor is crucial for making targeted gene therapies work, as it helps predict how effective the treatment will be.
Who this helps: This helps breast cancer patients who may benefit from more effective targeted gene therapies.
Death receptor 4 (DR4) efficiently kills breast cancer cells irrespective of their sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).
2004
Cancer gene therapy
Kazhdan I, Marciniak RA
Plain English This study looked at how effective a protein called death receptor 4 (DR4) is at killing breast cancer cells, regardless of whether those cells typically respond to a treatment known as TRAIL. Researchers found that when DR4 is overproduced, it can kill over 90% of certain breast cancer cells without needing TRAIL, but some cells, like MCF-7, were less affected due to their inability to express a key protein involved in the cell death process. Understanding this mechanism matters because it can open avenues for new breast cancer treatments that are more effective, even against resistant cells.
Who this helps: This research benefits breast cancer patients and doctors seeking better treatment options.
HLH transcription factor activity in osteogenic cells.
1997
Journal of cellular biochemistry
Kazhdan I, Rickard D, Leboy PS
Plain English This study looked at how certain proteins are involved in the process of bone cell development from stem cells. Researchers found that while some proteins interacted with specific DNA sequences in various cell types, they did not play a crucial role in the early stages of bone cell formation. This finding is important because it highlights how certain genetic mechanisms may influence whether a cell becomes a bone cell, which could help develop better treatments for bone-related disorders.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers working with patients who have bone diseases or conditions affecting bone development.
Importance of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and the nonadherent cells of marrow for osteoblast differentiation from rat marrow stromal cells.
1995
Bone
Rickard DJ, Kazhdan I, Leboy PS
Plain English This study looked at how a specific form of vitamin D, called 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, affects the growth of bone-forming cells known as osteoblasts in lab cultures made from rat bone marrow. The researchers found that this vitamin D form boosted the growth of these cells and increased the activity of a key enzyme related to bone formation, while other hormones did not have the same effect. This is important because it shows that vitamin D can help support bone health by promoting the formation of bone cells, which could be crucial for treating bone-related conditions.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with bone diseases, including osteoporosis.
Induction of rapid osteoblast differentiation in rat bone marrow stromal cell cultures by dexamethasone and BMP-2.
1994
Developmental biology
Rickard DJ, Sullivan TA, Shenker BJ, Leboy PS, Kazhdan I
Plain English Researchers studied how to quickly turn certain bone marrow cells from rats into bone-building cells called osteoblasts using specific substances. They found that using dexamethasone and BMP-2 together significantly increased the production of markers that indicate these cells are becoming osteoblasts, with up to 10 times more activity detected after 8 days. This is important because it could lead to better treatments for bone repair and regeneration.
Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from fractures or with bone-related conditions.