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Lewis K. Pannell, Ph.D.

Professor of Oncologic Sciences, Head, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory

Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama

Office:
USA Mitchell Cancer Institute
1660 Springhill Avenue
Mobile, AL. 36604
(251) 445-9860
lpannell@usouthal.edu

Research Interests:
-Identifying proteomic biomarkers using proteomic and glycomic methods for the early detection and monitoring of cancer.
-Special interest in cancers that are diagnosed late stage such as ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
-Developing new screening methods for issues such as complications of pregnancy.
-Methods to improve the test for prostate cancer.

Honors and Achievements:
-Award for outstanding achievement in Mathematics and Computer Science presented by Washington Academy of Sciences, 1996

Education:
-Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1975
-B.S., Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1972

Professional Appointments:
-Member, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, 2002-present
-Senior Investigator, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 1983-2002
-Forensic Toxicologist, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1975-1983

http://www.southalabama.edu/research/MCIvideo.html

Lewis Pannell, Ph.D., is Head of the Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. His research efforts are focused on the identification of biomarkers of cancer, utilizing primarily secreted proteins from localized fluids. Biomarkers allow for the “early detection” of cancerous cells which has become almost synonymous with prevention. Early detection and monitoring of cancer results in multiple alternative treatment options for the patient, as well as a much more hopeful prognosis. Dr. Pannell’s research team is currently focused on several areas of research such as: 1) improving the early detection of late stage cancers such as pancreatic cancer, 2) determining new biomarkers for gynecological cancers, 3) developing new screening methods for non-cancer related issues such as pregnancy complications, as well as 4) improving methods for the testing of prostate cancer.

Dr. Pannell’s team has recently taken big interest in cancer of the pancreas, due to the fact that it is one of the most rapidly fatal of all cancers. Of all cancer types tracked by the National Cancer Institute, pancreatic cancer is the only cancer with a five year survival rate in the single digits. A major factor underlying the poor overall survival is that most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed in clinically advanced stages. The proteomics team in collaboration with USA physicians and a private Boston-based company is investigating methods to help identify early stage pancreatic cancer. Promising preliminary data has led to a small business agreement which is currently in place with the company to further this research.

Dr. Pannell’s team is also looking for new biomarkers for the two most common gynecological cancers, ovarian and endometrial. These cancers are known as “silent killers” because of their lack of and /or vague symptoms in early stages. Dr. Pannell’s lab is collaborating with the MCI’s two gynecological oncologists, Dr. Michael Finan and Dr. Rodney Rocconi, to not only identify the biomarkers but to identify a reliable method for obtaining samples. This bedside to bench research is highly dependent on patient cooperation, physician perseverance and solid science in the research lab. Current work has produced one hopeful new approach for which a patent has been filed. Further potential has also been identified in detecting women at risk for preeclampsia, preterm labor and infertility.

The biomarker PSA (prostate specific antigen) which is the current best indicator of prostate cancer, is not specific enough for reliable diagnosis because it is present at varying levels in healthy males. By looking closer for a more identifiable form of PSA, the test could be refined to provide the accuracy needed for true, reliable, early detection. The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland are sponsoring this research effort.

Assisting other researchers such as Dr. Lalita Shevde-Samant, Dr. Rajeev Samant and Dr.Rod Rocconi with their proteomic analyses, Dr. Pannell continues to be a part of melanoma and breast cancer research. Also A native of New Zealand, he enjoys a highly collaborative work environment and maintains many connections in cancer research as a result of having spent 19 years at the National Institutes of Health prior to joining the MCI. His largest outside collaboration is with Georgetown University in Washington DC, and is funded by the Department of Defense and NIH. He also has active collaborations with Alabama State University as well as Virginia Commonwealth University. The proteomics team is highly collaborative not only with these groups but also with other university departments such as the department of pediatrics, gastroenterology, and the department of surgery. Having worked in his specialty area for almost 35 years Dr. Pannell was the second member to join the MCI staff in 2002. However, his most impressive accomplishment is that he is a platelet donor for cancer patients with over 350 donations to date.

1. Mitra, A., Menezes, M.E., Pannell, L.K., Mulekar, M.S., Honkanen, R.E., Shevde, L.A., and Samant, R.S. “DNAJB6 chaperones PP2A mediated dephosphorylation of GSK3ß to down regulate ß-catenin transcription target, osteopontin”. Oncogene 2012.

2. L. G. Harris , L. K. Pannell, S. Singh , R. S. Samant, L. A. Shevde “Increased Vascularity And Spontaneous Metastasis Of Breast Cancer By Hedgehog Signaling Mediated Upregulation Of Cyr61” Oncogene 2011.

3. Pannell, L.K., Mott, A., Rizk, C.B.; Non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis with proteomic technologies. Chapter 9 in Human Assisted Reproductive Technology, 2011, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge UK, Eds. Gardner, Rizk and Falcone

4. L. K. Pannell, A. R. Mott, C.B. Rizk ” Non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis with proteomic technologies” In “Human Assisted Reproductive Technology” Chapter 9, Edited by David K. Gardner, Botros R. M. B. Rizk, Tommaso Falcone, for Cambridge University Press (2011).

5. Ren S, Liu S, Howell PM Jr, Zhang G, Pannell L, Samant R, Shevde-Samant L, Tucker JA, Fodstad O, Riker AI: Functional characterization of the progesterone-associated endometrial protein gene in human melanoma. J Cell Mol Med. 2010 Jun;14(6B):1432-42.

6. Barsoum, A., Bainan, L., Rohrer, J., Coggin, Jr., J., Tucker, Al, Pannell, L., Schwarzenberger, P.: Production, Safety and Anti-Tumor Efficacy of recombinant Oncofetal Antigen/Immature Laminin Receptor Protein. Biomaterials 2009.

7. Mbeunkui, F., Metge, B.J., Shevde, L.A., Pannell, L.K.; Identification Of Differentially Secreted Biomarkers Using LC-MS/MS in Isogenic Cell Lines Representing a Progression of Breast Cancer; J. Proteome Res.6(8): 2993-3002, 2007. PMCID: PMC2584611. PMID: 17608509

-U.S. # 12/646,592. Novel Molecular Assay and uses Thereof. Filed 12/23/09
-Patent #61520108. Iron Modified Peptides as Biomarkers of Gynecologic Malignancies. Filed 6/3/2011
-Pct/Us2011/051269. Non-Invasive Methods of Detecting Target Molecules. Filed 9/12/2011

-Principal Investigator, NIH, (1R21CA122570-01A2), Profiling Urine Glycosylation of PSA and other Glyco-Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer, 2007-10
-Principal Investigator, NIH, (1R01DK073808-01A2), Protein Alterations in Skeletal Muscle Cells with Improved mtDNA repair, 2007-11
-Principal Investigator, DOD, (Baraniuk), Exercise-Induced Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteomic Biomarkers of Fatigue, 2009-12.

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