Thomas T. Andersen

Dr. Thomas T. Andersen is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Albany Medical College, where he conducts groundbreaking research in breast cancer prevention. His work focuses on developing novel peptide-based therapies derived from alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to prevent breast cancer with minimal toxicity.

Education:

• PhD from University of Kansas (1978)

Dr. Andersen's primary research interest is in breast cancer prevention, specifically investigating how alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein produced during pregnancy, can be harnessed to reduce breast cancer risk. His laboratory has developed AFPep, a synthetic cyclic peptide that mimics AFP's active site and shows promise in preventing breast cancer without the toxicity associated with current treatments like tamoxifen. His work bridges molecular biology, oncology, and pharmacology to create novel preventive therapies that specifically target estrogen-dependent pathways while activating tumor suppressor mechanisms.

Analysis of Dr. Andersen's publications reveals a consistent focus on breast cancer prevention mechanisms, particularly the role of alpha-fetoprotein and its derived peptides. His research demonstrates how these peptides can inhibit tumor growth through novel mechanisms that differ from conventional treatments, offering potential for safer preventive strategies with minimal side effects compared to existing hormonal therapies.

Scientific Contributions:

• Development of AFPep, a synthetic peptide for breast cancer prevention
• Elucidation of mechanisms by which AFPep inhibits breast cancer growth through ER phosphorylation interference
• Preclinical validation showing AFPep prevents cancer in dose-dependent fashion with no observable toxicity
• Establishment of AFPep's efficacy against tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer forms

Dr. Andersen's research has been supported by significant grants including NIH grants CA091127 and CA102540, and Department of Defense grants DAMD17-01-1-0472 and DAMD17-01-1-0121. His work on breast cancer prevention models has established him as a leader in developing non-toxic chemopreventive agents that could potentially prevent 50,000 breast cancer cases annually.

Dr. Andersen leads a research team at the Center for Cardiovascular Sciences at Albany Medical College, where his laboratory focuses on peptide design, cancer prevention models, mechanism of action studies, and development of specialty analogs with improved properties like oral bioavailability.