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College of Graduate Studies student abstract So the university community can learn more about research College of Graduate Studies students conduct in their pursuit of an MUSC degree, The Catalyst publishes their dissertation abstracts in this column. Each published abstract represents a successful defense of a student’s research as judged by the college faculty. Dissertation Title: Characterization of the apoptotic molecular events induced by a lysosomotropic ceramide analog in prostate cancer cells Student: David Holman Mentor: James S. Norris, Ph.D. professor and chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology Future Plans: Working for local biotech company in Mount Pleasant—Genphar Inc. Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men in the United States and one of the most common causes of death from cancer in men. Unfortunately, treatments available to date are largely ineffective for advanced stages of disease. Many cancers, including prostate cancer, are defective in lysosomal function and ceramide signaling as a means of increasing their survival. My project involved treating prostate cancer cells with a lysosomotropic ceramide analog, called LCL204, which we determined targets these two aspects of cancer cell survival. Furthermore, we have found that combining LCL204 treatment with a gene therapy approach synergistically kills prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.    The aim of this research was to determine the molecular mechanism(s) of action of LCL204 and similar molecules. This provided us with a better understanding of how these molecules function and will aid in their progression towards a more clinical environment. Collectively, these results gave evidence that targeting both the lysosomes and ceramide signaling pathways with molecules such as LCL204 may serve as a viable treatment option for prostate cancer in the near future, and that combining such a treatment with either gene therapy or more traditional cancer therapies may offer greater benefits to patients with advanced prostate cancer.      Friday, Aug. 12, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.