Assistant Professor

Dr. Sharma's current research is focused on studying the consequences of SEMA3F, a tumor suppressor gene, loss in lung cancer development and progression and to examine deregulation of E-cadherin expression in lung tumors.  He has screened several lung cancer cell lines for their responsiveness to SEMA3F. Recent studies demonstrate that SEMA3F negatively affects ILK-AKT-STAT3 and ERK signaling, along with inhibition of HIF and VEGF. Specific emphasis is being made to understand the mechanisms of anti-tumor effects in both in vitro as well as in vivo systems.  Currently Dr. Sharma is searching for inhibitory agents that will mimic the SEMA3F effects and have efficacy in patients as well. He is also interested in studying the molecular mechanism involved in epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMT) and how it impacts the SEMA3F pathway.  Besides this, he also intends to work in pre-clinical studies exploring new drugs and drug combinations, both in lung as well as renal cancers. Dr. Sharma's other areas of interest include, evaluation of cancer chemopreventive efficacy of phytochemicals, either alone or in combination with conventional therapeutic agents in human lung, breast, renal and prostate cancer models using several cell culture assays, cell cycle modulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and mitogenic and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of preventive effects. 

 Dr. Sharma's Curriculum Vitae (PDF Format)*

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