Kathryn L. Penney

About Kathryn L. Penney

The Gleason score (derived from the microscopic appearance of prostate tumor tissue) is currently the only reliable predictor for prostate cancer prognosis and treatment. Dr. Penney has previously identified a signature of 157 genes associated with lethal disease, which can help distinguish high from low Gleason grade prostate tumor tissue. Her previous research has also identified pathways differentially enriched in high and low grade disease, generating hypotheses for biological mechanisms that may underlie disease progression. Dr. Penney proposes to advance this molecular Gleason signature into clinical validation and will investigate the biological pathways that underlie tumor aggressiveness. If validated in biopsy tissue, Dr. Penney’s 157-gene signature will improve outcome prediction and clinical decision making for PCa patients at the time of diagnosis. Studies on the metabolic pathways associated with Gleason grade may lead to discovery of new targets for drug development and may serve as tools for monitoring patients in the context of active surveillance.