Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in Cellular Response to Novel Chemotherapeutic Compounds
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Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
Fall 10-1-2026
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States and around the world, with approximately 320,000 new cases estimated to be diagnosed, and over 40,000 cancer-related deaths estimated in 2026 (American Cancer Society, Key Statistics for Breast Cancer). While cancer treatments have improved significantly in the past decade, particularly in the area of immunotherapy, these therapies are not effective in solid tumors like breast cancer. There are many therapeutic options for early-stage breast cancer, but new therapeutic options continue to be necessary, particularly to prevent progression of cancers and to treat advanced, metastatic tumors. In collaboration with Jeff Hansen in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, we are testing a variety of potential anti-tumor compounds to determine viability as therapies for breast cancer. Previous research has shown that two compounds (referred to here as pyrrolidine and benzylamine) have the ability to restrict cell growth, restrict cell movement, and induce cell death, indicating that they may be good chemotherapeutic compounds. However, we still do not know how they actually work in the cell. One possible mechanism of action is via the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), a protein in the cell that binds xenobiotics - foreign compounds. This project has two main goals: 1) determine the extent of AhR activation or inhibition in breast cancer cells treated with pyrrolidine or benzylamine; and 2) determine the impact of pyrrolidine and benzylamine compounds on growth and survival of cells with reduced AhR expression.
Department
Department of Biology, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
Project Mentor
Sarah Mordan-McCombs
Recommended Citation
Fagg, Alexis '28; Hensley, Jacoba '27; and Krsak, Emma '28, "Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in Cellular Response to Novel Chemotherapeutic Compounds" (2026). Annual Student Research Poster Session. 249.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/srfposters/249
Funding and Acknowledgements
Project funded by the Asher Fund. Thank you to Science Research Fellows, Dr. Hansen’s Lab, the Biology Department, Dr. Doci, and especially Dr. Mordan-McCombs for mentoring us this summer!