Research

The Hohl is broadly interested in drug development for the treatment of cancer. 

We have ongoing projects to find connections between isoprenoid metabolism (the pathway synthesizing cholesterol, dolichols, and other key intermediates derived from mevalonate). We are examining how these intermediates impact neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.  We have found that drugs that inhibit this pathway, such as statins, which are prescribed for hypercholesterolemia, can modulate cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastatic potential. In addition to statins, we developed novel inhibitors that block other enzymes in the isoprenoid pathway. These affect vital developmental pathways such as the hippo pathway, which is co-opted by cancers to evade growth regulation and encourage metastatic behaviors.

Other projects in the lab revolve around a natural product family known as the schweinfurthins, which have very potent anticancer activity against some cancer cells.  We have recently discovered these compounds require the immune system for activity in animal models of melanoma and that they work by inducing a form of immunogenic cell death. We are actively exploring this novel effect in triple-negative breast cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma, as well as other cancers.