Erica Elizabeth Johnson

Affiliate Member

Research Program:

Cancer Therapeutics

Faculty Rank:

Graduate Assistant

Campus:

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

College:

College of Pharmacy

Department:

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cancer Research Interest

Disease Site Focus: Breast, Gynecology
Research Focus Area: Prevention, Treatment
Type of Research: Clinical
Research Keywords: lymphedema, Chemotherapy, Breast cancer, Ryanodine receptors
Research Interest Statement: Doxorubicin, daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and docetaxel are used in the treatment of breast and gynecological cancers, but specifically, doxorubicin is associated with risk in the development of lymphedema. Lymphedema is the buildup of fluid within tissues due to impaired lymphatic drainage. Our lab has already established through previous research that doxorubicin blocks the rhythmic contractions of lymph vessels and reduces the amount of lymph flow due to activation of ryanodine receptors and a disruption in calcium homeostasis. My research project would be to expand this research by investigating the role of ryanodine receptors in the cytotoxicity of daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and docetaxel. These chemotherapies are often run in conjunction with doxorubicin during treatment, possibly contributing to chemotherapy-induced lymphatic toxicity via activation of ryanodine receptors. Understanding ryanodine receptors' roles in chemotherapy-induced lymphatic toxicity and cancer-killing effects of these chemotherapies could lead to ryanodine receptors becoming a therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of cancer-related lymphedema.