Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases
Director, University of Nebraska Center for Environmental Health and Toxicology, College of Public Health
Department of Chemistry (UNL)
D.Sc. - University of Milan, Milan, Italy, 1962
Recent Awards: UNMC Distinguished Scientist, 2007
Research Interests
Molecular
mechanisms of tumor initiation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
and estrogens. Origin of
human cancer at the molecular level.
This
research includes: (a) synthesis, chemical properties and reactions of
mechanistic interest of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons radical cations;
(b) in vitro and in vivo binding studies of
PAH and estrogens to DNA, determination and quantitation of the structure
of the adducts; (c) correlation of ras-oncogene mutations and
formation of DNA depurinating adducts; (d) chemical mechanisms of
cytochrome P-450 catalysis; (e) comparative tumorigenicity studies in the
two target organs, mouse skin, and rat mammary gland; (f) mechanism of
tumor initiation by activated catechols of estrogens and synthetic
nonsteroidal estrogens; (g) analysis of biomarkers for the etiology and
early detection of breast, prostate and other human cancers; (h)
chemoprevention of animal and human cancer.
- Phone: (402) 559-7237
Fax: (402) 559-8068
E-Mail: Ercole Cavalieri