Critical to the prevention and treatment of urologic cancers is basic science research. In the Urologic laboratory at Kansas University Medical Center we are investigating the various causes of cancer. Dr. Benyi Li, M.D., PhD. received training in molecular biology and prostate cancer research in China, Japan, and most recently Baylor University in Houston, TX. His interests focus on the molecular pathways which cause prostate cancer to grow and metastasize. In addition, he has created an inducible Akt system to allow further study of the molecular mechanisms behind prostate cancer. Dr. Li has published numerous articles in the field of prostate cancer research and has received multiple federally funded grants. He has numerous post doctoral fellows working with him in the laboratory.

Dev Karan, M.S., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor who joined us after completing his training at the University of Iowa. He is involved in basic and translational research that pertains to activation of anti-tumor response and destruction of tumor cells by T-lymphocytes using prostate cancer mouse models. His interest focuses on novel effector mechanisms of tumor cell killing by cytotoxic T cells and dendritic cell based signals regulating tumor-reactive T cells. For a better understanding to control the growth of prostate tumors, studies are in progress to understand the role of inflammation and its associated molecules including tumor-microenvironment.

Dr. Jeffrey Holzbeierlein also participates in urologic research. His basic science interests also focus primarily on prostate cancer, specifically, examining what genes are important for the development of prostate cancer unresponsive to hormone therapy. In addition, Dr. Holzbeierlein is seeking new screening markers, similar to PSA, to help detect prostate cancer with more accuracy and investigating new drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer. Future directions include research involving bladder cancer cells and methods to prevent bladder cancer recurrence.