rajeshwar-rao-tekmal
Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal, PhD
Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
    San Antonio, TX, USA
    Phone: 210-372-9452
    E-mail: tekmal@uthscsa.edu

Education

2010 LEAD: Leadership Education & Development University of Texas System and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA
1982 Ph.D. Natl. Dairy Res. Inst., Kurukshetra Univ., India
1977 M.Sc. Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

Biography

Dr. Tekmal is a Professor of OB-GYN and holder of Carl J. Pauerstein Professorship in Reproductive Research and the Director of Division of Reproductive Research at University of Texas HSC, San Antonio (UTHSCSA). He is a member of UTHSCSA cancer center, NCI-designated Cancer Center, the Theme Leader of the Women’s Cancer Program of UTHSCSA. After receiving his Ph.D. in biochemistry from India in 1982, Dr. Tekmal completed postdoctoral training in molecular biology at Michigan State University and University of MS Medical Center. He started his academic research/faculty career at Oakland University in MI and in 1989, joined the ob-gyn faculty at UTHSCSA for the first time. After few years, Dr. Tekmal moved to Emory Univ. in Atlanta, where he achieved the rank of professor and led the Breast Cancer Research Program at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute. In 2003, the UTHSCSA’s Ob-Gyn department recruited Dr. Tekmal to lead Division of Reproductive Research. Dr. Tekmal’s work explores the importance of local estrogen in the initiation and progression of breast cancer as well as therapeutic role of estrogen receptor beta in breast cancer treatments. His group also investigates the role of macrophage colony stimulating factor and its receptor and the role of CD44 a cell adhesion molecule in endometriosis and gynecological malignancies. Dr. Tekmal’s work has been recognized and funded by NCI/NIH, Department of Defense and Komen as well as from other foundations and pharmaceutical industries. Dr. Tekmal serve as a member of several grant study sections including NIH, Koman and DOD as well as other private/state funding organizations including international cancer research organizations (Hong Kong, UK and Italy) and editorial board of AACR Cancer Research as well as several other biomedical journals. Dr. Tekmal was an invited speaker for many national and international meetings.

Research Interests

CSF-1 and its receptor, c-fms in breast, cervical and ovarian cancer as well as in endometriosis.
Etiological role of CSF-1 and its receptor as well as CD44-Hylaronic acid in the early endometriotic lesion formation is being investigated.


Scientific Activities

Teaching Experience
2003 Professor of Oncology/Hematology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
2003 Professor (Tenured) of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory Univ. School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
1998-2003 Associate Professor (Tenured) of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory Univ. School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
1998-2003 Associate Professor of Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
1995-1998 Assistant Professor of Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
1995-1998 Assistant Professor, Division of Research, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
1992-1995 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX
1989-1992 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX
1987-1989 Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI
1982 Visiting Research Scholar, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
1981-1982 Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, College of Arts and Science, Kamareddy, Osmania University, India
1977-1981 Research Scholar, Pre-doctoral Fellow of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, at National Dairy Research Institute, India.
Professional Activities

MEMBERSHIP FOR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

1995-2003 Faculty Member, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, (BCDB Program), Emory University, Atlanta, GA
2001-2003 Program Leader, Breast Cancer Research, Winship Cancer Institute (an NCI- designated Cancer Center), Emory University, Atlanta, GA
1995-2003 Member, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
1991-1995 Member, San Antonio Cancer Institute, San Antonio, TX
1988-1992 Scientific Consultant, Grace Bio-Oncology Laboratory, Portland, OR
Grant Support
DOD BCRP-151884 Prevention of breast cancer and therapy resistance using novel W81XWH-16-1-0294 therapeutic approaches
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal
07/01/2016-06/30/2019 $ 1,143,324 (TC)
SOM Women’s Health Pilot grant Role of CD44 and RHAAM in endometrial pathogenesis
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal
10/01/2016- 09/30/2017; $ 50,000 (TDC)
NIH R21 Re-sensitizing ER-alpha mutant breast cancer cells to hormonal therapy
Investigator: Dr. Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal (PI: Rong Li)
07/01/2016- 01/30/2018; $ 380,000 (TC)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation/Evestra, Inc Testing the efficacy of novel steroid compounds as a long-acting birth control agents Principal Investigator: Dr. Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal
12/01/2015-03/31/2018 $ 230,000 (TC)
NIH/NCI RO1 RO1 CA178499 Novel ERβ agonists for the treatment of gliomas
Investigator: Dr. Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal (PI: Vadlamudi)
09/01/2014-08/31/2019 $ 1,868,750 (TC)
CPRIT DP150096 Bridging the gap award: Development and testing novel inhibitor for ER activator PELP-1
Investigator: Dr. Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal (P.I.
Honors & Awards
2015 AACR- San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Basic Science Scholars award (Graduate student: Cathy Samayoa)
2013 AACR-MICR Faculty Scholar Award (Sponsored by NCI/AACR)
2012 AACR-MICR Faculty Scholar Award (Sponsored by NCI/AACR)
2011 Society of Asian American Scientists in Cancer Research’s Distinguished Scientist Award
2009 V-Foundation/Kay Yow Cancer Research Fund Research Grant Award
2007 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Novartis Oncology Basic Science Scholars award (Fellow: Hareesh B. Nair, Ph.D.)
2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Best Poster Award (Fellow Ya-Guang Liu)
2002 Georgia Cancer Coalition Recognition award for 2002 AACR presentations
2000 American Assn. for Cancer Research Young Investigator Award (Fellow Nameer Kirma)
1998 American Association for Cancer Research Young Investigator Award (Fellow: Kiran Gill)
1996 Emory Univ., President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities Travel Award
1993 San Antonio Area Foundation Research Award
1992 Natl. Inst. of Health FIRST research grant award
1982 Nizam’s Foundation Travel Award for Overseas studies
1980 M. Sc (Honors) in Chemistry awarded by Indian Institute of Chemists
1977-1981 Indian Council of Agriculture Research Pre-Doctoral Merit Scholarship
1997 Graduated M.Sc., with distinction
1974-1975 Osmania University Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

Publications

  1. Knudtson, J, Tellez-Santos, M., Binkley, P.A., Vadlamudi, R.K., Tekmal, R.R. and Schenken, R.S.: The role of estrogen receptor beta in development of the early endometriotic lesion. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2017. Abstract 2017-A-1157.
  2. Knudtson, J., Tellez-Santos, M., Binkley, P.A., Tekmal, R.R. and Schenken, R.S.: Inhibition of hyaluronic acid’s synthesis decreases endometrial cell attachment. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2017. Abstract 2017-A-1159 (accepted poster).
  3. Liu, J., Sareddy, G.R., Zhou, M., Viswanadhapalli, S., Brenner, A., Tekmal, R.R., Vadlamudi, R.K.: 5531 - Significance and functions of estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) isoforms in glioblastoma. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 108th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 5531, 2017.
  4. Sareddy, G. R., Liu, J., Viswanadhapalli, S., Tekmal, R.R., Brenner, A., and Vadlamud, R.K.: Activation of estrogen receptor beta signaling reduces stemness and promotes differentiation of glioma stem cells. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 108th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 4764, 2017.
  5. Viswanadapalli, S., Sareddy, G.R., Ma, S.H., Lee, T. K., Tekmal, R.R., Raj, G.V., and Vadlamud, R.K.: Novel ERX-11 and CDK4/6 inhibitor combination therapy for treating therapy resistant breast cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 108th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 4148, 2017.
  6. Ramasamy, K., Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal R.R.: Potential therapeutic use of Estrogen Receptor β agonist in the prevention and progression of breast cancer using HER-2/neu mouse model. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 108th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 3616, 2017.
  7. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal R.R.: Pre-clinical investigation of estrogen receptor β agonists for the treatment of breast cancer. 39th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P6-11-15, 2016.
  8. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal RR.: Investigating the use of estrogen receptor β agonists in the prevention of breast cancer using a transgenic mouse model. 39th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P4-15-02, 2016.
  9. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal RR: Investigating the role of estrogen receptor β agonists in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 107th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 1820, 2016.
  10. Vadlamudi RK, Sareddy GR, Viswanadhapalli S, Lee T-K, Ma S-H, Lee WR, Mann M, Krishnan SR, Gonugunta V, Liu, Y., Strand DW, Tekmal RR, Ahn J-M, Raj GV: ESR1 coregulator binding inhibitor (ECBI) a novel agent for treating hormone therapy resistant breast cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 107th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 860, 2016.
  11. Knudtson, J., Tellez, M., Binkley, P.A., Tekmal, R.R., and Schenken, R.S.: Hyaluronic acid synsthesis and degradation in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells from women with and without endometriosis. Reproductive Science 23: (Supplement1) Abstr-F-150, Page 245A, 2016.
  12. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal RR.: Investigating the therapeutic use of estrogen receptor β agonists in breast cancer. 38th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P3-04-03, 2015.
  13. Vadlamudi RK, Sareddy GR, Viswanadhapalli S, Lee T-K, Ma S-H, Lee WR, Mann M, Krishnan SR, Gonugunta V, Strand DW, Tekmal RR, Ahn J-M, Raj GV: ESR1 coregulator binding inhibitor (ECBI) as a novel therapeutic to target hormone therapy resistant metastatic breast cancer. 38th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, S3-04, 2015.
  14. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal, R.R.: Evaluating estrogen receptor β agonists for the treatment of breast cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 106th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 3457, 2015.
  15. LY500307 as a novel therapeutic agent for treatment of glioblastoma. Sareddy, G.R. Gruslova, A., Cavazos, D.A., Tekmal, R.R., Brenner, A.J., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 106th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 951, 2015.
  16. Knudtson, J., Tellez, M., Binkley, P.A., Tekmal, R.R., and Schenken, R.S.: Impaired development of endometriotic lesions in CD44 knockout mice. Reproductive Science 22: (Supplement1) Abstr-O-001, Page 57A, 2015.
  17. Bowers, L.W., Brenner, A.J., Hursting, S.D., Tekmal, R.R., and deGraffenried, L.A.: Obesity-associated systemic interleukin-6 promotes pre-adipocyte aromatase expression via increased breast cancer cell prostaglandin E2 production. 37th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P4-04-16, 2014.
  18. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal, R. R.: Estrogen receptor β agonists reduce breast cancer tumor growth in syngeneic mouse models. 37th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P3-04-16, 2014.
  19. Knudtson, J., Tellez, M., Binkley, P.A., Tekmal, R.R., Schenken, R.S.: Endometrial epithelial cell expression of estrogen receptor isoforms alpha and beta alters attachment to peritoneal mesothelial cells. Fertil & Steril, 102: (Issue 3, Supplement) Abstr-P461, Pages e290-e291, 2014.
  20. Hsu, Y-T., Liu, J., Binkley, P.A., Schenken, R.S., Tekmal, R.R., Huang, T.H-M., and Kirma. N. B.: Parallel EMT pathways mediated by epidermal growth factor, EpCAM and mesenchymal cadherins in benign endometriotic lesions and endometrial cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 105th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 3326, 2014.
  21. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N., Ramakrishnan, S.R., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal, R.R.: S-equol, an estrogen receptor β agonist, inhibits tumor growth and progression of breast cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 105th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 626, 2014.
  22. Sareddy, G.R. Chavez, J.E., Salazar, H., Mann, M., Hernandez, J., Ramakrishnan, S.R., Kost, E., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Therapeutic efficacy of ERβ agonists on ovarian cancer. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 105th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 606, 2014.
  23. Samayoa, C., Krishnegowda, N. K., Vadlamudi R. K., and Tekmal R. R.: Plant-derived estrogen receptor β agonists alone or in combination with aromatase inhibitors restore sensitivity in endocrine therapy resistant breast tumors. 36th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P5-09-14, 2013.
  24. Vadlamudi, R.K., Cortez V. A., Zamora, A., Martinez, L., and Tekmal, R, R.: Induction of PELP1 expression in mammary gland promotes tumorigenesis by enhancing CDK-CyclinD1 signaling. 36th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P2-05-01, 2013.
  25. Bowers, L.W., Maximo, I.X.F., Tekmal, R.R., Hursting, S.D., Beeram, M., Brenner, A. J., and deGraffenried, L, A.: NSAID use attenuates breast cancer recurrence in obese women: Role of prostaglandin-aromatase interactions. 36th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, P1-06-01, 2013.
  26. Knudtson, J., Bareh, G., Campbell, J., Binkley, P., Tekmal, R.R., Schenken, R.S.: Ovarian steroid alter endometrial epithelial cell attachment to peritoneal mesothelial cells. Fertil & Steril, 100: (Issue 3, Supplement) Abstr-P748, Page S364, 2013.
  27. Vadlamudi, R.K., Cortez, V.A., Chodosh, L.A., and Tekmal, R.R.: ER-coregulatory protein PELP1 overexpression in the mouse mammary gland results in the development of hyperplasia and carcinoma. Proc. The Endocrine Society 95th Annual Meeting, Abstr. OR41-2, 2013.
  28. Sareddy, G.R. Nutalapati, P., Tekmal, R.R., Vadlamudi, R.K.: The proto-oncogene proline glutamic acid leucine rich protein 1 (PELP1) is a novel mediator of glioblastoma development. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 104th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 5190, 2013.
  29. Samayoa, C., Kotha, A., Krishnegowda, N.K., Vadlamudi, R.K., and Tekmal, R.R.: The estrogen receptor β agonists Liquiritigenin and S-equol inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation through the activation of tumor-suppressor and other pathways. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 104th Annual Meeting, Abstr. 1312, 2013.
  30. Curiel, T., Kious, M., Daniel,B., Lin, P., Thibodeaux, S., Vadlamudi, R.K., Margaret Wierman, M., Turka, L., Zhang, R., Sharpe, A., Francisco, L., Lishi, S., Pandaswara, S., Tekmal, R.R., and Hurez, V.: Sexually dimorphic control of regulatory T cell function and autoimmunity protection through B7-H1 and estrogen signals . J. Immunol. 188, 123.50, 2012.
  31. Gonugunta VK, Cortez V, Sareddy GR, Roy SS, Zhang H, Tekmal R.R, Vadlamudi R.K.: Significance and therapeutic potential of PELP1-mTOR axis in breast cancer progression and therapy resistance. Cancer Res., 72: (24 Suppl.) 489s (Abstract P6-04-07) 2012.
  32. Roy SS, Gonugunta VK, Bandyopadhyay AM, Rao M, Goodall G, Sun L, Tekmal R.R, Vadlamudi RK.: Significance of PELP1/HDAC2/microRNA-200 regulatory network in EMT and metastasis of breast cancer. Cancer Res., 72: (24 Suppl.) 435s (Abstract P5-04-04) 2012.
  33. Sareddy, G.R., Nair, B.C., Gonugunta, V.K., Zhang, Q-G., Brenner, A., Brann, D.W., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Therapeutic significance of estrogen receptor beta agonists in gliomas. Proc. The Endocrine Society 94th Annual Meeting, Abstr. Sun 552, 2012.
  34. Tekmal, R.R., Ganapathy, M., Kotha, A., Krishnegowda, N., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Potential therapeutic use of ERβ modulators in treating endocrine therapy resistant breast cancers. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. 5753, 2012.
  35. Cortez, V.A., Chodosh, L.A., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: A novel, inducible mammary gland-specific PELP1 murine breast cancer model. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. 3294, 2012.
  36. Bowers, L.W., DeAngel, R., Tekmal, R.R., Brenner, A., Hursting, S., and deGraffenried, L.: Obesity-associated growth factor signaling upregulated aromatase expression and estrogen receptor activity in breast cancer cells. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. 3071, 2012.
  37. Roy, S.S., Rao, M., Sun, LZ, Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Epigenetic regulation of miRNA-200a and 141 by proto-oncogene PELP1: Role in breast cancer progression and metastasis. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. 2301, 2012.
  38. Nair, B.C., Krishnan, S.R., Sareddy, G.R., Mann, M., Xu, B., Natarajan, M., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Proline, glutamic acid leucine rich protein 1 (PELP1) is essential for optimal p53-mediated DNA damage response. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. 2135, 2012.
  39. Sareddy, G.R., Nair, B.C., Gonugunta, V.K., Zhang, Q-G., Brann, D.W., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Therapeutic significance of estrogen receptor β agonists in gliomas. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. 953, 2012.
  40. De La Garza, E., Binkley, P., Tekmal, R.R., Schenken, R.S., and Kirma, N.B.: Raf-1 in epithelial mesenchymal transition: a novel therapeutic target for ovarian and endometrial cancers. Proc. Am. Assn. Cancer Res., 103rd Annual Meeting, Abstr. LB-14, 2012.
  41. Szender, J.B., Krishnegowda, NK, Hall, KL, Kost, ER, and Tekmal, R. R.: Inhibition of Aromatase Induction and Expression Slows Cervical Cancer Growth. Gynecologic Oncology, 125, (Supplement 1), Page S61, 2012.
  42. Cortez VA, Newallo D, Chodosh LA, Tekmal, R.R., Vadlamudi RK.: Development of an Inducible Estrogen Receptor Co-Activator PELP1 Mammary Tumor Model. Cancer Res., 71: (24 Suppl.) 438s (Abstract P4-03-05) 2011.
  43. Bowers LW, Brenner AJ, Li R, Tekmal, R.R., deGraffenried LA. Obesity-Induced Aromatase Expression in the Breast Microenvironment Promotes Estrogen Receptor Activity Independent of Circulating Estradiol Levels. Cancer Res., 71: (24 Suppl.) 435s (Abstract P4-02-08) 2011.
  44. Nair HB, Bhaskaran SS, Krishnegowda NK, Tekmal, R.R., VandeBerg JL: Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate: A Potential Endocrine Disruptor Confer Letrozole Insensitivity and Induction of Aromatase Activity in Breast Cancer Cells. Cancer Res., 71: (24 Suppl.) 431-432s (Abstract P4-02-01) 2011.
  45. Pradeep CR, Koestler W, Lauriola M, Nair H, Tekmal, R.R (Rao R), Mills GB, Yarden Y.: Novel Pathways Underlying the Initiation and Transition of DCIS to IDC of HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer Model. Cancer Res., 71: (24 Suppl.) 259-260s (Abstract P2-03-04) 2011.
  46. Roy, S.S., Rao M, Sun L, Tekmal, R.R., Vadlamudi RK: Proto-Oncogene PELP1 Promotes Metastasis through miR-200 Dependent Pathway. Cancer Res., 71: (24 Suppl.) 247s (Abstract P2-01-07) 2011.
  47. Mann M, Cortez V, Yang BW, Tekmal, R.R., Vadlamudi RK.: PELP1 Oncogenic Functions Involve Regulation of Histone Arginine Methylation. Cancer Res., 71: (24 Suppl.) 173s (Abstract P1-05-01) 2011.
  48. Tekmal, R.R., Ganapathy, M., Kotha, A., Kirma, N., Krishnegowda, N.: Therapeutic use of natural ER beta modulators in treating hormonal therapy resistant estrogen receptor positive breast tumors. CPRIT: Innovation in cancer prevention and research conference, Austin, TX, November 15-17. Abstract # 209 (page 123), 2011.
  49. Roy, S., Rao, M., Sun, L., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Proto-oncogene PELP1 promotes metastasis through miR200 dependent pathway. CPRIT: Innovation in cancer prevention and research conference, Austin, TX, November 15-17. Abstract # 62 (page 67), 2011.
  50. Sareddy, G., Nair, B., Gonugunta, V., Zhang, Q., Brann, D., Tekmal, R.R., and Vadlamudi, R.K.: Therapeutic significance of estrogen receptor beta agonists in gliomas. CPRIT: Innovation in cancer prevention and research conference, Austin, TX, November 15-17. Abstract # 49 (page 64), 2011.

     
Journal of Breast Cancer Research and Advancements