Izabela Podgorski
Biography
Dr. Podgorski is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a scientific member of Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute. Her work focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms linking bone marrow adiposity with bone-metastatic prostate and kidney cancers, with a particular emphasis on identifying key factors driving tumor aggressiveness and chemoresistance.
In addition to running the active, highly collaborative research program, Dr. Podgorski is deeply committed to teaching, mentoring, and service at the departmental, institutional, and national levels. Within her department, she serves on the Salary, Promotion and Tenure, Graduate Admissions, and Research Committees, and currently chairs the Budget Committee. At the institutional level, she has been serving as co-leader of the Prostate Cancer Research Team at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and is an active member of the Steering Committee for the Cancer Biology Graduate Program. Nationally, she serves on the Editorial Board of Scientific Reports, is a standing member of the NCI’s Tumor-Host Interactions Study Section, and holds an executive board position with the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society. Dr. Podgorski brings leadership experience, a collaborative spirit, and a strong commitment to academic service and scientific excellence.
Office Address
540 E. Canfield
Scott Hall, Room 6312
Detroit, MI 48201
Education/Training
B.S. (Chemistry); 1995, St.Mary's College, Orchard Lake, Michigan
Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences); 2001; Oakland University, Rochester Hills, Michigan
Office Phone
313-577-0514
Honors and Awards
Charles H. Gershenson Distinguished Faculty Fellowship (WSU Office of the Provost) - 2022
Wayne State University School of Medicine Research Excellence Award - 2021
Wayne State University School of Medicine Teaching Award - 2021
Kamran S. Moghissi, M.D. Endowed Faculty Award for Excellence in Basic Science Teaching - 2019
Chair Career Development Award (Wayne State University) - 2018
Research
Bone marrow is a common host of several types of tumors, including secondary cancers of the prostate, breast, thyroid, kidney, lung, and bladder as well as hematological malignancies, such as multiple myelomas and leukemias. A common feature of tumor cells that reside in bone is that their proliferation and survival are critically dependent on the interaction with the bone marrow microenvironment. One important component of bone marrow stroma are the adipocytes, whose numbers are significantly augmented with age or metabolic pathologies. Fat cells negatively affect bone metabolism and function, and escalate bone degradation, making the bone marrow more supportive of tumor growth. Metastatic tumor cells have high avidity for lipids and lipid-mediated cross-talk between marrow adipocytes and tumor cells alters cellular energetics, disrupts redox homeostasis and profoundly affects signaling pathways that allow the cells to gain pro survival advantage and thrive in the metastatic niche.
Our main research objectives are to identify molecular mechanisms underlying the association between bone marrow adiposity and metastatic prostate, breast and kidney cancers and to pinpoint key factors responsible for aggressiveness and chemoresistance. Our studies involve mouse models of lipolysis, PDX models, 3D culture techniques and patient samples in combination with pharmacological and genetic manipulation, RNAseq and proteomic technologies. Our ultimate goal is to provide translational insight into advancing current treatment options for bone-metastatic disease.
Specific research interests:
• Tumor-induced lipolysis in adipocytes and its role in tumor progression and chemotherapy response
• Lipid-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) in tumor survival and chemoresistance
• Lipid-mediated modulation of iron metabolism
• Factors driving tumor-induced bone destruction
• Targeting mitochondrial metabolism in bone marrow macrophages as therapeutic approach in metastatic disease
Publications
- Garmo, LC, Herroon MK, Mecca, S, Wilson, A, Allen DR, Agarwal M, Kim S, Petriello MC and Podgorski I. The long-chain polyfluorinated alkyl substance perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) promotes bone marrow adipogenesis. Toxicol Applied Pharmacol, 2024; 491:117047
- Garmo, LC, Herroon MK, Mecca, S, Wilson, A, Allen DR, Mohammed, AS, Specht, AJ, Schlezinger, JJ, Petriello MC and Podgorski I. Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) promote osteoclastogenesis and bone loss through PPARG activation. Toxicology Reports, 2025 (In Press)
- Wilson A, Garmo L, and Podgorski I. “Interplay between fat cells and immune cells in bone: Impact on malignant progression and therapeutic response”, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2022; 238:108274
- Herroon M.K., Mecca S, Haimbaugh A, Garmo L.C., Rajagurubandara E, Todi SV, Baker TR, and Podgorski I. “Adipocyte-driven unfolded protein response is a shared transcriptomic signature of metastatic prostate carcinoma cells” BBA- Molecular Cell Research, October 2021; 1868(11):119101