kevindalby

Originally published on  medium.com The human immune system is an evolutionary marvel designed to find and eradicate microscopic invaders that would do us harm. These invaders include cells in our body that mutate to become cancerous. Unfortunately, the immune system does not always succeed in stopping the proliferation of cancer cells throughout the body. Consequently, treatment techniques that help the immune system are rapidly evolving to treat a variety of cancers. In the last two decades, a type of immunotherapy utilizing ‘immune checkpoint inhibitors’ has proven effective in fighting several cancers and continues to inspire research and innovation. Dr.  Kevin Dalby , a professor in the College of Pharmacy, and Department of Oncology at The University of Texas studies the mechanics of cancer cell signaling while working toward the development of potential new therapeutics. The research in his laboratory embraces a diversity of approaches including, biochemistry, c

Originally published on  thriveglobal.com Life expectancy in the United States is about 78 years, though longevity is not without medical concerns. As many as one in three Americans will develop malignant cells in their lifetime. While the scientific community has significantly increased their understanding of cancer in recent years and applied that knowledge to treatment, prevention research remains a top priority; however, since cancer is a series of diseases, the exact cause is not always known. Genetics plays an important role, yet so does diet and lifestyle. Dr. Kevin Dalby, professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, is studying the mechanisms of cancer cells and currently working on cancer drug discovery. His research primarily focuses on developing targeted therapeutics, but he does acknowledge that specific behavioral changes can help lower a person’s risk for cancer. The Harvard School of Public Health estimates that 75% of American cancer deaths could