Monica M. Montano

Monica M. Montano is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. She also serves as Director of the Heart Lung and Blood Summer Research Program and is a Member of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on identifying factors underlying hormonal responsiveness in cancers (breast/prostate) and developing therapies targeting metastasis and hormone resistance. Key discoveries include HEXIM1's role as a tumor suppressor and its impact on heart physiology.

Her lab employs genomic approaches, animal models, and tumor microenvironment studies. Recent breakthroughs include HMBA derivative development for HEXIM1 upregulation and insights into HEXIM1's cardioprotective effects. Collaborative projects explore imaging tumor growth and drug delivery strategies.

Research highlights include defining HEXIM1's inhibition of angiogenesis/metastasis, elucidating estrogen-induced DNA damage prevention via hPMC2, and identifying HEXIM1's role in cardiac hypertrophy without exercise. Ongoing translational efforts aim to convert HEXIM1 inducers into clinical therapies for metastatic cancers and cardiovascular conditions.