Kanokporn Rithidech, PhD, Professor of Research Pathology

Kanokporn Noy Rithidech, PhD
Professor of Research Pathology
Basic Sciences Tower, Level 9
Stony Brook Medicine
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8691

Tel: (631) 444-3446
Fax: (631) 444-3424 
E-mail: Kanokporn.Rithidech@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Research Summary:

I am a radiation biologist with extensive scientific knowledge that enables me to conduct research across various medical disciplines. My current focus is on radiation countermeasures and radio/chemosensitizers for cancer treatment. The susceptibility of different human populations, including military personnel and veterans, to radiation exposure has become a significant public health concern both on Earth and in space. I am actively seeking compounds that can protect individuals from radiation-induced injuries. I have made notable progress in identifying the radioprotective and mitigating properties of apigenin (AP), which is classified as a class II drug. I was the first to demonstrate the in vitro radioprotection of human lymphocytes by AP and to report its in vivo mitigative effects when administered to irradiated mice. Recently, I also documented the efficacy of AP as a dietary supplement in counteracting injuries to the hematopoietic tissue and gut in mice exposed to space-like radiation. These findings illustrate the effectiveness of AP across different tissues, which is characteristic of an ideal radiation countermeasure. Moreover, I discovered that AP can restore the homeostasis of the gut microbiome in mice exposed to space radiation and reduce the incidence of acute leukemia/lymphoma when included in their daily diet. These results highlight the potent chemopreventive activity of AP.

I recently completed molecular docking studies that demonstrated the high inhibitory activity of AP and certain flavonoids against various proteins associated with human diseases, including KRAS mutants found in different solid tumors, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The findings from my laboratory support the notion that AP has the potential to effectively limit the cancer-causing effects of specific KRAS mutations in these tumors, thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This strategy could lead to more successful treatment outcomes for cancer patients with KRAS mutations. Additionally, I discovered that AP treatment can improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy in in vitro systems. Given AP's favorable safety profile, my findings are significant for the development of flavonoid-based drugs, whether used alone or in combination, to reduce side effects and overcome cancer cell resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
 

Peer Reviewed Publications: