Lorraine Gudas, PhD

Chair of Pharmacology

Chair, Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Contact & profiles

ljgudas@med.cornell.edu

Appointments

Chair of PharmacologyPrimary
Pharmacology · 1991–
Professor of Pharmacology
Pharmacology · 1991–
Professor of Pharmacology in Urology
Urology · 2005–
Professor of Pharmacology in Medicine
Medicine · 2004–
Revlon Pharmaceutical Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Pharmacology · 1991–
Professor/Chair
Weill Cornell Graduate School — Pharmacology · 1991–

Past Appointments

Professor of Pharmacology in Integrative Medicine
Research Business Management · 2004–2017

Centers

Clinical & Translational Science Center
Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Centerresearch
Cancer Biology
Weill Center for Metabolic Health

Education

Ph.D.
Princeton University, 1975
B.A.
Smith College, 1970

Overview

RETINOID PHARMACOLOGY: CELL PROLIFERATION, DIFFERENTIATION, DIABETES AND CANCER

The Gudas laboratory performs pharmacology research in four major areas:

1) Retinoids, which include both natural and synthetic derivatives of vitamin A (retinol), control many aspects of normal cell differentiation and influence the process of carcinogenesis. Retinoids also have profound effects on amphibian limb regeneration. Retinoids are used clinically in the treatment of a number of diseases, including cancer and skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. The responses of many cell types to retinoid treatment are mediated initially by intracellular retinoid receptors and involve changes in cell proliferation and cell differentiation. The Gudas laboratory is studying how retinoids elicit these dramatic changes in cells through the identification and analysis of the genes that are regulated by retinoids. These genes include Rex1 (Zfp42), a stem cell marker and transcription factor which is transcriptionally repressed by retinoids, and homeobox genes, which encode transcription factors important in embryonic stem cell differentiation. We have identified retinoic acid responsive "enhancers," or DNA control regions, 3' of homeobox genes called Hoxa-1 and Hoxb-1. We have shown that these enhancers activate transcription of these Hox genes in response to retinoic acid both in cultured cells and in transgenic mice. Embryonic stem cells and some cancer stem cells differentiate in response to retinoids, and we are analyzing how this differentiation response is controlled. Such studies include analyses of the epigenetic changes in chromatin that occur during differentiation in response to retinoids.

Highlights

1
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2024
XTXiao-Han Tang MEMary E Choi LGLorraine Gudas
PMID: 38330015PMCID: PMC10873609DOISenior author26 citations
2
Molecular carcinogenesis · 2022
QCQiuying Chen FKFrancesca Khani ASAndrea Sboner DMDavid M Nanus LGLorraine Gudas
PMID: 35726553PMCID: PMC9378514DOISenior author27 citations
3
Cancer biology & therapy · 2023
RSRyan Schreiner NPNigel P Mongan DMDavid M Nanus LGLorraine Gudas
PMID: 36722045PMCID: PMC9897797DOISenior author21 citations

Publications

296

Funding

22 View NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

6 grants

PI
Cancer Pharmacology
National Cancer Institute · 2015–2031Training· 3 renewals
T32CA062948-31A1
PI
PREVENT Cancer Preclinical Drug Development Program: Preclinical Efficacy and Intermediate Endpoint Biomarkers - Master Agreement
National Cancer Institute · 2024–2029
75N91024D00006
PI
Restoration of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Tumorigenicity by Cell Reprogramming
U.S. Department of Defense · 2024–2028
HT9425-24-1-1025
PI
CD 1530, an RAR Gamma Agonist for Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Prevention
National Cancer Institute · 2023–2028
R01CA270248-04
PI
Gene Nutrient Interactions in Kidney Function
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2017–2027· 3 renewals
R01DK113088-08
PI
ATF4 in ccRCC: A New Therapeutic Approach
U.S. Department of Defense · 2022–2026
W81XWH-22-1-0873

Completed grants (16)

KP
Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) SPORE in Prostate Cancer
National Cancer Institute · 2017–2023
P50CA211024-05
PI
Characterization of Premalignant Fields in a Murine Model of Head and Neck and Esophageal Cancers
National Cancer Institute · 2016–2023· 2 renewals
R01CA205258-05
PI
Uncovering the Role of Retinoic Acid Receptor Beta in Alcoholic Liver Diseases
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism · 2019–2023
R21AA027637-02
KP
The Role of NDUFA4L2 in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
National Cancer Institute · 2017–2020Fellowship
F31CA213814-01
KP
Prevention of HNSCC by Using Receptor Selective Agonists
Prevent Cancer Foundation · 2018–2020
PCF 182780-01
PI
Oral Cancer Initiating Cells: Characterization
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research · 2014–2018
R01DE024394-04
PI
Mechanism and Efficacy of a Novel Cancer Therapeutic
University of Nottingham · 2017–2018Contract
PI
Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Proteins: Functional Studies
NCI · 1987–2016 · via NIH RePORTER
R01CA043796-24S1
PI
Squamous Cell Carcinomas - Effects of Retinoids
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research · 2010–2016
R01DE010389-20EWO
PI
Diet and Alcohol Induced Epigenetic Changes in an Oral Cavity Carcinogenesis Model
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism · 2010–2016
R01AA018332-05EWO
PI
Alcohol-Induced Epigenetic Changes in Stem Cells
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism · 2012–2014
R21AA021484-02
PI
Metabolism of Vitamin A in the Prostate
NCI · 2005–2012 · via NIH RePORTER
R01CA097543-05
PI
Small Interfering RNAs: Inhibition of Oral Carcinogenesis in a Mouse Model
NIDCR · 2009–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
R21DE019286-02
PI
RETINOIC ACID--ROLE IN DIFFERENTIATION
NCI · 1985–2004 · via NIH RePORTER
R01CA039036-19
PI
VITAMIN A (RETINOL) AND 4 OXORETINOL IN BREAST CANCER
NCI · 1998–2004 · via NIH RePORTER
R01CA077509-05
PI
ANIMAL MODELS OF AUTISM AND MECHANISMS OF INJURY
NICHD · 1998–2003 · via NIH RePORTER
P01HD035466-04S1

Honors & distinctions

Fellow · American Association for the Advancement of Science · 2008

News mentions

4 View all WCM news ↗

Finding Innovative Ways to Address Kidney Cancer Leads to DoD Grant
December 10, 2024
Weill Cornell Medicine has received a $1.4 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to investigate a new therapeutic approach for the most common form of kidney cancer.
Finding a Novel Approach to Treating Kidney Disease
March 8, 2024
A new study found that retinoic acid receptors (RARa) in the proximal tubules of the kidney play a crucial role in limiting the damaging effects of kidney injury that often lead to kidney failure.
Department of Defense Awards Weill Cornell Medicine New Grant for Kidney Cancer Research
September 1, 2022
Weill Cornell Medicine has been awarded a $1 million, three-year grant from the Department of Defense’s Kidney Cancer Research Program to fund research on the role of the protein ATF4 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a form of kidney cancer.
Awards and Honors Across Weill Cornell Medicine: September 30, 2020
September 30, 2020
Awards, honors, prizes and achievements for the month of September.

Mentoring

10 All publications with mentees →

9 PhD students · 1 Postdoc

PhD · 9

Postdoc · 1

YW
Yongjie Wang
Postdoc mentee · 2022–2023

External relationships

Advisory/Scientific Board Member

York Ave. Therapeutics INC

Professional Services

University of Nottingham