Asfar S. Azmi, PhD
Phase Ib/II clinical study using selinexor (KPT-330), gemcitabine hydrochloride and paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation in treating patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer
Dr. Azmi and his team developed a novel small molecule drug that targets the nuclear protein export machinery. His team showed that the nuclear protein export inhibitor selinexor is active against pancreatic cancer cell line models and tumor models. This work led to a clinical trial at Karmanos Cancer Institute, where invaluable response was observed in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The team is now evaluating why patients respond and identifying causes of resistance, to better screen the patient population ideal for selinexor-based trials.
Seed funding from Sky Foundation resulted in a large grant awarded to Dr. Azmi from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health.
A novel therapy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Research identifying novel therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer subtypes. Dr. Azmi’s laboratory discovered two important proteins — p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) — that play a critical role in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. A drug has been identified that targets both, and is effective at blocking the growth of pancreatic cell lines and patient-derived tumors.
Plans are in progress to begin a Phase I clinical study testing the drug’s safety and efficacy in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Dr. Asfar Azmi is Associate Professor, Director of Pancreas Cancer Research and Co-Leader of the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Research Program at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine. Working with Ramzi Mohammad, he has worked extensively on small-molecule inhibitor drug development — leading to the rapid clinical translation of selinexor, now in Phase Ib/II trials at Karmanos in Detroit. He has published more than 90 peer-reviewed articles.
Serves as Committee member on Sky's Scientific Advisory Committee — recused from any discussion of their own proposal.
Read the committee bio →Seed grants start at $50,000 — awarded by scientists, reported on annually.
Donate →Asfar S. Azmi, PhD
Phase Ib/II clinical study using selinexor (KPT-330), gemcitabine hydrochloride and paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation in treating patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer
Dr. Azmi and his team developed a novel small molecule drug that targets the nuclear protein export machinery. His team showed that the nuclear protein export inhibitor selinexor is active against pancreatic cancer cell line models and tumor models. This work led to a clinical trial at Karmanos Cancer Institute, where invaluable response was observed in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The team is now evaluating why patients respond and identifying causes of resistance, to better screen the patient population ideal for selinexor-based trials.
Seed funding from Sky Foundation resulted in a large grant awarded to Dr. Azmi from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health.
A novel therapy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Research identifying novel therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer subtypes. Dr. Azmi’s laboratory discovered two important proteins — p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) — that play a critical role in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. A drug has been identified that targets both, and is effective at blocking the growth of pancreatic cell lines and patient-derived tumors.
Plans are in progress to begin a Phase I clinical study testing the drug’s safety and efficacy in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Dr. Asfar Azmi is Associate Professor, Director of Pancreas Cancer Research and Co-Leader of the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Research Program at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine. Working with Ramzi Mohammad, he has worked extensively on small-molecule inhibitor drug development — leading to the rapid clinical translation of selinexor, now in Phase Ib/II trials at Karmanos in Detroit. He has published more than 90 peer-reviewed articles.
Serves as Committee member on Sky's Scientific Advisory Committee — recused from any discussion of their own proposal.
Read the committee bio →Seed grants start at $50,000 — awarded by scientists, reported on annually.
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