Contact
Programs
Michael Wargovich, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular Medicine
Our laboratory investigates ways to prevent colon cancer. Our focus is on the chemoprevention of cancer - “Chemoprevention” is a discipline of cancer research that is less than 20 years old and embraces the idea that cancer can be prevented or precancers can be inhibited from progressing to cancer by the use of natural compounds or pharmaceuticals. We study cancer biology using a number of human cancer cell lines and also utilize novel animal models for colon cancer. Natural products can include substances from wine and green tea, fruits and vegetables, compounds in herbs and spices, vitamins and minerals, and dietary supplements. The lab has an interest in both terrestrial and marine botanicals. Via the pharmaceutical route, drug development has led to the discovery of compounds like tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer, aspirin for colon cancer.
Publications
Journal Article |
| Showler, AT, Osbrink, WL, Morris JL, Wargovich MJ. Effects of two commercial neem-based insecticides on lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae): deterrence, mortality, and reproduction Biopesticides International 2017 Jun;13(1):1-16. |
| Ramirez AG, Long-Parma, D., Munoz, E., Mendoza, K.D., Harb, C., Holden, A.E., Wargovich, m. An anti-inflammatory dietary intervention to reduce breast cancer recurrence risk: Study design and baseline data Contemporary Clinical Trails 2017 Jun;57:1-7. |
| Morris J, Moseley VR, Cabang AB, Coleman K, Wei, W, Garrett-Mayer, E and Wargovich MJ. Reduction in promotor methylation utilizing EGCG (Epigallocatechin-3-gallate) restores RXRα expression in human colon cancer cells Oncotarget 2016 May;7(23):35313-35326. |
Not Specified |
| Patel MJ, Tripathy S, Mukhopadyay, KD, Morris, J, Wargovich MJ. A supercritical extract of Neem leaf (A. indica and its bioactive liminoid, nimbolide suppress colon cancer in preclinical models by modulating pro-inflammatory pathways Molecular Carcinogenesis 2018 Jan;. |
| Cabang AB, De Mukhopadhyay K, Meyers S, Morris J, Zimba PV, Wargovich MJ. Therapeutic effects of the euglenoid ichthyotoxin, euglenophycin in colon cancer Oncotarget 2017 Nov;8(61):104347-104358. |
| Luo H, Yang A, Schulte BA, Wargovich MJ, Wang GY. Resveratrol induces premature senescence in lung cancer cells via ROS-mediated DNA damage Plos one 2013 Jan;8(3):60065-60070. |
Review Article |
| Khoogar R, Kim BY, Morris J, Wargovich MJ. Targeting the Progression of Cancer with Natural Products: A Focus on Gastrointestinal Cancer Am J of Physiol Gastro and Liver Physiol 2016 Apr;310:G629-G644. |
Grants
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Private |
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| Funding Agency | Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Medical Research Foundation |
| Title | Extended Studies of Euglenophycin for Cancer Prevention and Treatment |
| Status | Active |
| Period | 3/2014 - 12/2017 |
| Role | Principal Investigator |
| Grant Detail | |
| Funding Agency | Morrison Trust |
| Title | Maximizing Dietary Vitamin D to Alleviate Chronic Colitis |
| Status | Complete |
| Period | 8/2016 - 12/2017 |
| Role | Co-Investigator |
| Grant Detail | |
State |
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| Funding Agency | University of South Carolina |
| Title | Herbal and Botanical Preventives for Colon Cancer |
| Status | Complete |
| Period | - Present |
| Role | Principal Investigator |
| Grant Detail | Research & Productive Scholarship Grant |
| Funding Agency | CPRIT |
| Title | Chemoprevention of Colon Cancer by Anti-inflammatory Blockade Using Neem |
| Status | Active |
| Period | 3/2016 - 8/2019 |
| Role | Principal Investigator |
| Grant Detail | |
Education
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| Year | Degree | Discipline | Institution |
| 1981 | PhD | Microbiology | Texas Tech University Lubbock , TX |
| 1977 | MS | Biological Sciences | Duquesne University Pittsburgh , PA |
| 1974 | BA | Biology | Washington and Jefferson College Washington , PA |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship | Biomedical Sciences | OVC, University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario , Canada |
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| Postdoctoral Fellowship | Medical Biophysics | Ontario Cancer Institute Toronto, Ontario , Canada |
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| Postdoctoral Fellowship | Cancer Prevention Research | Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto Branch for Human Cancer Preve Toronto, Ontario , Canada |