Lampidis Receives U.S. Congressional Record for Cancer Research

Dr. Theodore J. Lampidis, Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, recently received a Congressional Record in honor of his work studying the combination of two non-toxic drugs to treat cancer. Florida Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen spoke about UM and Lampidis’ research on the U.S. House floor on July 13, 2016.

“One of the leading research universities in the country, the University of Miami has developed a pool of world-class talent and advanced infrastructure that is helping lead the science and tech boom that is shaping South Florida’s future for the better,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen while addressing the Speaker of the House.

“Among the exciting research breakthroughs taking place at Coral Gables is the work of the Lampidis lab at the Miller School of Medicine.

“Dr. Lampidis and his associates have found that, when given in combination with a common cholesterol medication, non-toxic 2-DG therapy effectively kills tumors without the use of harsh, conventional chemotherapy drugs. I congratulate Dr. Lampidis and his lab for their efforts to improve our community, our nation, and our world.”

Previously, Dr Lampidis’s laboratory has gained international recognition and leadership in the exploitation of increased glucose metabolism in cancer cells using the sugar analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (better known as 2-DG). Cancer cells found in the inner core of all solid tumors – due to the abnormally low levels of oxygen in that location – must rely on the process of glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose for energy, to survive. These cells, by nature of their slow growth, have been found to be the most resistant to conventional cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Lampidis and his team showed that a false sugar such as 2-DG, which blocks glycolysis, selectively starves these slow-growing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. His latest research is based on a combination therapy using 2-DG and fenofibrate, a well-studied cholesterol medication, to effectively target the entire tumor without the need for toxic chemotherapy.

“I am very thankful to Representative Ros-Lehtinen for discussing our important cancer research at UM in the US House of Representatives,” said Lampidis. “We believe our findings effectively pave the way for using non-toxic treatments for a wide variety of cancers.”

Click here to read about Lampidis’ latest study on 2-DG and fenofibrate.