Kenneth Bauer, PharmD, PhD

My primary research interest is the clinical pharmacology of anti-cancer agents. My work focuses on the determination of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of new anticancer agents under investigation in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. In addition to the assessment of the disposition and metabolism of these agents in cancer patients, my lab is also involved with elucidation of the major mechanisms by which they are eliminated. Using preclinical in vivo and in vitro models the tissue distribution, metabolic fate and renal elimination of anti-cancer agents are studied. These studies include animal ADME studies, liver microsomal and hepatocyte metabolism studies, and cell culture transport studies utilizing the CACO2 and MDCK cell lines.

In an effort to assess activity of anticancer agents I am particularly interested in building clinically useful pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models to predict response based on drug plasma concentrations and relevant biomarkers. One of the primary goals of this lab is the identification of useful biomarkers that can predict response to a therapeutic agent. Through the work of this lab biomarkers of anti-angiogenic activity and signal transduction are being identified and tested. Similar models are also used to minimize drug related toxicity without compromising potential drug benefit.

Our current work and future direction is involved with determining the impact of the ATP Binding Cassette transport protein ABCG2 (BCRP/MXR) on the pharmacokinetics and disposition of substrate drugs. Therefore the current focus of this lab involves the investigation of the regulation of this protein and drug interactions with this protein and how they might also affect its expression in normal organs.