Tulane University researcher Charles Miller has been awarded $690,000 from the National Cancer Institute to develop methods of testing the possible toxic effects of cancer treatments.

During the three-year project, Miller will assess the effectiveness of a yeast-based system in identifying the toxic effects of specific classes of new cancer drugs. The therapies in question affect the human Hsp90 protein complex and steroid hormone receptors. In order to test the cancer drugs, yeast is designed to carry human proteins which act as targets for medications.

"The tests we are developing may give scientists inexpensive and quick ways to identify toxic drugs. Our tests will circumvent some of the expensive and lengthy cancer drug trials in animals and humans," says Miller.