Rosalyn Adam studies growth factor function within the context of urologic diseases such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer and bladder hypertrophy. Over the past 7 years, she and her colleagues and have identified novel functions for the protein heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in two separate diseases of the genitourinary tract.

First, they showed that HB-EGF stimulates androgen-independent growth and neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. These are both critical processes in prostate cancer progression and implicate HB-EGF in the transition to hormone-refractory disease.

Second, they recently reported that a nuclear form of HB-EGF is associated with aggressive bladder cancer. This study is the first description of nuclear localization of HB-EGF in any cell type or tissue, and it strongly suggests a novel functional role for HB-EGF in the nucleus.

In addition to urologic oncology research, the Adam laboratory is also interested in understanding the regulation of gene expression in bladder smooth muscle cells exposed to so-called hypertrophic stimuli, such as mechanical stretch and growth factor stimulation. These studies relate to the mechanisms underlying pathologic remodeling of the bladder wall under conditions of urinary tract obstruction. Their ultimate goal is to identify critical signaling nodes that could be targeted for therapeutic benefit.