Kirsten L. Bryant, PhD
Targeting KRAS-driven metabolism and autophagy in pancreatic cancer
The lab studies the mechanisms by which oncogenic KRAS alters metabolic flux to fuel PDAC progression, how KRAS and downstream ERK/MAPK signalling modulate autophagy, and how autophagy in turn supports tumor survival. That understanding is then tested as therapy: combination strategies pairing ERK or MEK inhibitors with autophagy inhibition.
Findings from Dr. Bryant’s group helped launch first-in-human studies of combined pathway and autophagy blockade — a Phase I trial of the MEK inhibitor binimetinib with hydroxychloroquine, and a Phase II trial of the ERK inhibitor LY3214996 with hydroxychloroquine. Ongoing work seeks more selective autophagy inhibitors through CRISPR/Cas9 loss-of-function screens.
Dr. Kirsten L. Bryant is a cancer biologist at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her laboratory investigates how the KRAS oncogene drives metabolic reprogramming and autophagy to sustain pancreatic cancer growth. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Channing Der’s laboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she defined key KRAS-regulated metabolic vulnerabilities in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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 →Kirsten L. Bryant, PhD
Targeting KRAS-driven metabolism and autophagy in pancreatic cancer
The lab studies the mechanisms by which oncogenic KRAS alters metabolic flux to fuel PDAC progression, how KRAS and downstream ERK/MAPK signalling modulate autophagy, and how autophagy in turn supports tumor survival. That understanding is then tested as therapy: combination strategies pairing ERK or MEK inhibitors with autophagy inhibition.
Findings from Dr. Bryant’s group helped launch first-in-human studies of combined pathway and autophagy blockade — a Phase I trial of the MEK inhibitor binimetinib with hydroxychloroquine, and a Phase II trial of the ERK inhibitor LY3214996 with hydroxychloroquine. Ongoing work seeks more selective autophagy inhibitors through CRISPR/Cas9 loss-of-function screens.
Dr. Kirsten L. Bryant is a cancer biologist at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her laboratory investigates how the KRAS oncogene drives metabolic reprogramming and autophagy to sustain pancreatic cancer growth. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Channing Der’s laboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she defined key KRAS-regulated metabolic vulnerabilities in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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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