Stephen Hecht, Ph.D.

Program Leader:
Stephen Hecht, Ph.D.

The goal of research in the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention program is to understand mechanisms by which chemicals cause cancer and use this information to develop rational methods for cancer prevention. The program has 35 members from 23 departments of the University of Minnesota. There are three major research elements in the program:

• Mechanisms and prevention of tobacco-induced cancer
• Molecular mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis
• Discovery and development of cancer chemopreventive agents

Research in this program ranges from basic mechanistic studies to clinical trials using relevant biomarkers and chemopreventive agents. Researchers are internationally recognized for their contributions to understanding and preventing cancer.

Program News

Ross receives Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Postdoctoral Scholars Award

The way you eat may affect your risk for breast cancer

Researchers discover new way that cells repair damage to DNA

Hormel Institute kaempferol research published in Cancer Research
The work of Masonic Cancer Center members Yong Yeon Cho, Ph.D., and Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr.Ph., researchers in the Hormel Institute's Cellular and Molecular Biology Group, was featured on the cover of the May 15, 2009 issue of Cancer Research. The paper, "A regulatory mechanism for RSK2 NH2-terminal kinase activity," described the natural compound kaempferol, which is highly abundant in green onions. This compound was found to inhibit cancer cell growth by suppressing the activation of an important protein, RSK2, which is found at high levels in cancer cells. Read more.

Dong featured speaker at economic summit

U of M researcher discovers the starting point of sun-induced skin cancer

U of M study provides first scientific evidence that the Freedom to Breathe Act is creating healthier workplaces for hospitality employees

Sturla named McKnight Land-Grant Professor

U of M identifies more evidence linking obesity to increased risk of breast cancer

Cancer Center researchers elected to national posts