Janos Ladik, Ph.D.
Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg
Erlangen, Germany
Applying quantum chemistry and physics to the search for a drug to prevent cancer
The National Foundation for Cancer Research strongly believes that in order to conquer cancer, we must investigate cancer problems from multidisplinary approaches. By supporting new approaches to cancer in fields like biophysics, which are outside the narrow confines of traditional cancer research, NFCR is uncovering new answers to long-standing questions about cancer. Through a broad understanding of how cells in plants, animals, and humans first become cancerous, basic research scientists are gaining knowledge that could lead to the development of drugs that prevent cancer at the cellular level.
Project Director Expertise
Dr. Ladik is Professor and Head of the Theoretical Chemistry Institute at Friedrich-Alexander-University in Erlangen, Germany. A noted expert in quantum chemistry and theoretical solid state physics, Dr. Ladik's research focuses on theoretical biophysics, which uses the largest supercomputers available to calculate the electronic structure of DNA and proteins and their interactions. Dr. Ladik also is interested in quantum theory of polymers and of high temperature superconductivity. He has published nearly 400 research papers and has been awarded a Diesel Medal in Gold from the German Institute of Invention, their highest honor.
NFCR Research Overview
Based on his theoretical studies and calculations regarding the different chemical and physical properties of DNA and proteins, Dr. Ladik has proposed a novel way to block the ability of chemicals and radiation to activate oncogenes, or genes that promote cancer. By the same token, he is seeking to hinder the ability of chemicals and radiation to inactivate anti-oncogenes, or genes that deter cancer. His cancer prevention theory is based on the idea that compounds which can build in between the base pairs of DNA (also known as "intercalation"), and which are not cancer-causing, probably could change the relative arrangement of the base pairs in DNA enough to prevent cancer from starting - or at least reduce the impact that chemicals and radiation have on cells.
NFCR Research Findings
Dr. Ladik has successfully developed a unified theory for how cancer begins and how the steps of cancer initiation can be blocked by activating oncogenes and inactivating anti-oncogenes in the bonds between DNA and proteins. Elements of his theory for cancer initiation and prevention are being further tested in collaboration with laboratories at the Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center and the Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia University. In addition, Dr. Ladik has investigated the electronic structure of a gene system, developed a new method for solid state microdosimetry, and devised a new method for the calculation of the correlation corrected band structure of solids in the case of quasi-degeneracy.
Future Research Goals
Dr. Ladik believes that another group of compounds called psoralenes also seem to hinder or reduce the harmful effects of chemical carcinogens and radiation, and he is planning new experiments to test his theory. Rather than taking cancer cells from an animal tumor and cultivating them in a test tube, as is standard laboratory procedure, Dr. Ladik would begin with non-cancerous cell cultures of differentiated cells. To them he would add strong chemical carcinogens to make the cells cancerous and then add psoralene compounds to one of the mixtures while the other would remain the "control." His novel experiment should prove whether the compounds belonging to the psoralene group have a preventive effect on cancer.
Impact on Cancer Prevention, Treatment, or Cure
The National Foundation for Cancer Research believes that the key to curing cancer is to support innovative research ideas in many different fields of science. That is why we support the work of biophysicists like Dr. Ladik, who believes that we will learn how to prevent cancer before we will learn how to cure it. His research on how chemicals and radiation activate the genes that promote cancer -- and how chemicals and radiation inactivate the genes that deter cancer - is laying the foundation for the development of a drug that could direct cellular mechanisms to prevent cancer.