Petr Džubák

Laboratory for Early Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Head: Petr Džubák
Olomouc node

petr.dzubak@upol.cz
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HOME INSTITUTION

Faculty of Medicine PU in Olomouc

RESEARCH PROGRAMME(S)

RP 3 - Biomarkers of cancers and cancer diagnostics
RP 4 - Early detection and prevention of tumours

Bridging Differences, Creating Uniqueness.

COLLABORATION WITH INFRASTRUCTURES

Mission: To advance early cancer diagnosis and treatment through innovative biomarker identification and small molecule therapeutics.
Vision: To lead in cancer research by developing revolutionary diagnostic tools and effective therapies for early detection and significantly improved patient outcomes.

Early cancer diagnosis aims to identify symptomatic individuals at the earliest possible stage, maximizing the effectiveness of the treatment. Late-stage diagnosis is strongly correlated with higher cancer mortality rates, as patients diagnosed at advanced stages face limited treatment options, more progressed deisease, and consequently, a higher risk of mortality. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt treatment at the earliest possible stage significantly improve patient outcomes, making this a crucial public health priority.

In this field, our research we focus on identifying biomarkers that can be used to diagnose disease, determine prognosis and monitor treatment efficacy. Our particular interest is the identification of protein biomarkers for the early detection of cancer (lung, GIT, brain, ovarian and endometrial). We focus on the identification of biomarkers obtained in a minimally invasive manner from available body fluids such as tears, cervical mucus, urine and exhaled air condensate. Proteomic analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non-invasive method by which we can analyze proteins exhaled from the respiratory system. In this respect, exhaled air condensate is a rich source of potential biomarkers for lung cancer.

A second major focus of our group is the identification and characterization of the biological activities of small molecules, particularly those with potential for cancer therapy. Some of the most promising bioactive molecules continue to advance in preclinical research.

We benefit from the complementarity of the expert teams and core facilities within the IMTM and NÚVR (HTS/HCA, mass spectrometry, molecular modeling, organic synthesis, genomics, pharmacology, animal facility, and in vivo imaging center).

Research objectives

Validate protein signatures from exhaled breath condensate in lung cancer patients compared with healthy controls. Identify protein biomarkers of brain tumors in tears and cervical smears in ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, exploring their potential as innovative diagnostic tools in oncology.
Identify biological activities of small molecules. Determine the mechanism of action of small molecules using cell biology methods (reporter panels) and proteomic profiling. Screen chemical libraries to identify inhibitors of specific cancer cell lines and anti-cancer targets such as carbonic anhydrase IX, adenosine receptors, and tubulin. Specialize in studying kinase inhibitors, cytoskeleton and cell cycle regulation, GPCRs, and drug resistance studies.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Skrott Z, Mistrik M, Andersen KK, Friis S, Majera D, Gursky J, Ozdian T, Bartkova J, Turi Z, Moudry P, Kraus M, Michalova M, Vaclavkova J, Dzubak P, Vrobel I, Pouckova P, Sedlacek J, Miklovicova A, Kutt A, Li J, Mattova J, Driessen C, Dou QP, Olsen J, Hajduch M, Cvek B, Deshaies RJ, Bartek J. Alcohol-abuse drug disulfiram targets cancer via p97 segregase adaptor NPL4. Nature. 2017 Dec 14;552(7684):194-199. DOI: 10.1038/nature25016
Yang C, Slavětínská LP, Fleuti M, Klepetářová B, Tichý M, Gurská S, Pavliš P, Džubák P, Hajdúch M, Hocek M. Synthesis of Polycyclic Hetero-Fused 7-Deazapurine Heterocycles and Nucleosides through C-H Dibenzothiophenation and Negishi Coupling. J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Oct 26;144(42):19437-19446. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07517
Hruba L, Polishchuk P, Das V, Hajduch M, Dzubak P. An identification of MARK inhibitors using high throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Feb;146:112549. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112549
Grüner B, Brynda J, Das V, Šícha V, Štěpánková J, Nekvinda J, Holub J, Pospíšilová K, Fábry M, Pachl P, Král V, Kugler M, Mašek V, Medvedíková M, Matějková S, Nová A, Lišková B, Gurská S, Džubák P, Hajdúch M, Řezáčová P. Metallacarborane Sulfamides: Unconventional, Specific, and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Carbonic Anhydrase IX. J Med Chem. 2019 Nov 14;62(21):9560-9575. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00945
Nauš P, Caletková O, Perlíková P, Poštová Slavětínská L, Tloušťová E, Hodek J, Weber J, Džubák P, Hajdúch M, Hocek M. Synthesis and biological profiling of 6- or 7-(het)aryl-7-deazapurine 4′-C-methylribonucleosides. Bioorg Med Chem. 2015 Dec 1;23(23):7422-38. DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.10.040
Řehulka, J., Jurásek M, Draber P, Ivanova A, Gurská S, Ječmeňová K, Mokshyna O, Hajdúch M, Polishchuk P, Drasar P, Dzubak P. Click estradiol dimers with novel aromatic bridging units: synthesis and anticancer evaluation. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry. 2024, 39(1), 2367139, ISSN: 1475-6366. DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2024.2367139
Oždian T, Vodicka J, Dostál J, Holub D, Václavková J, Jeseta M, Hamerníková B, Kouřilová P, Malchar O, Dvořák V, Hejtmánek P, Sobková K, Ventruba P, Pilka R, Džubák P, Hajdúch M. Proteome Mapping of Cervical Mucus and Its Potential as a Source of Biomarkers in Female Tract Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023, 24(2), 1038, ISSN: 1422-0067. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021038