We are interested in drug design, discovery and development. We are developing specific inhibitors of enzymes (17 alpha-hydroxylase-C17,20-lyase (CYP17) and 5 alpha-reductase) involved in male sex hormone biosynthesis and metabolism. Specifically, these enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis and transformation of androgens.  This work involves and design, synthesis and evaluation (in vitro and in vivo) of inhibitors (substrate-like compounds) that are likely to exhibit high enzyme specificity and potency. Such inhibitors may prove useful for treatment of hormone-depended conditions such as prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hyperblasia. Research on the design, discovery and development of new androgen receptor down-regulating agents (ARDAs) has recently been initiated into our research program.

We are also interested in the development of inhibitors of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) metabolism, also called retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents (RAMBAs). These types of enzyme inhibitors may be useful in enhancing the levels of endogenous ATRA, causing "ATRA-mimetic" effects without the need for ATRA administration. Such compounds may find important application as therapeutic agents in oncology and dermatology. Research on the combination of retinoids and/or RAMBAs with histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA methylation inhibitors is also being pursued. Overall, our research focuses on the relationship of chemistry to biological and pharmacological activities aimed at discovery and development of new drugs for treatments of breast and prostate cancers.

Our technologies on novel CYP17 inhibitors and novel RAMBAs have recently been licensed by the University of Maryland, Baltimore to Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston and 4Cyte Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, respectively. Our research is currently supported by the US National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute) and US Department of Defense (Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program).