Daniel Albert, M.D., M.S.
- Professor of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine
- Casey Eye Institute, School of Medicine
Biography
Dr. Albert's research focuses on the treatment and prevention of ocular cancers; particularly the use of vitamin D analogues, resveratrol and its analogues, and anti-angiogenic peptides in the treatment and prevention of ocular cancer and in reversing angiogenesis in the wet form of macular degeneration. His preclinical data suggests that vitamin D analogues can prevent neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of legal blindness among older Americans, as well as serve as an effective and relatively nontoxic treatment for retinoblastoma, melanoma, and neuroblastoma. His data further suggest that resveratrol inhibits tumor growth of human melanoma and neuroblastoma, and mediates apoptosis by directly targeting mitochondria. We have shown that calcium and calpain are key mediators of resveratrol-induced apoptosis in breast cancer. His findings also show that resveratrol can inhibit tumor growth and can induce apoptosis via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. By further increasing bioavailability of resveratrol, the potency can be increased, leading to tumor regression. The nontoxic nature of this therapy makes resveratrol an attractive candidate for the treatment of uveal melanoma. His latest research findings also suggest that Cisplatin given in combination with Calcitriol may be a more potent option in the treatment of high risk retinoblastoma than when given alone. Finally, he recently established a rat model for retinal and choroidal angiogenesis based on intense cyclic light exposure. Employing the rat model gives him the opportunity to utilize his experience and expertise in experimental eye pathology in general and, regarding angiogenesis and the action of vitamin D analogs in particular, for the study and treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Education and training
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Degrees
- B.S., 1958, Franklin and Marshall College
- M.D., 1962, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
- M.S., 1997, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Publications
Publications
Recurrent melanoma arising from sclera
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case ReportsNovel Lipids of the Rabbit Harderian Gland Improve Tear Stability in an Animal Model of Dry Eye Disease
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and TherapeuticsThe Continuing Ophthalmic Challenge of Bartonella henselae
Ophthalmology ScienceAn Update on Endocrine Mucin-producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma
American Journal of Surgical PathologyInhibition of retinal neovascularization by a PEDF-derived nonapeptide in newborn mice subjected to oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy
Experimental Eye ResearchThe COMS Randomized Trial of Iodine 125 Brachytherapy for Choroidal Melanoma
OphthalmologyCapillary Hemangioma Presenting as a Scleral Vascular Lesion in a Child
Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeryClyde E. Keeler
Ophthalmology RetinaGNAQ Mutations in Diffuse and Solitary Choroidal Hemangiomas
OphthalmologyMuir-torre syndrome
Case Reports in OphthalmologyNovel anti-angiogenic PEDF-derived small peptides mitigate choroidal neovascularization
Experimental Eye ResearchStudy of unilateral retinoblastoma with and without histopathologic high-risk features and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy
Journal of Clinical OncologyExtended intravitreal rabbit eye residence of nanoparticles conjugated with cationic arginine peptides for intraocular drug delivery
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceNeurofibromatosis type 1
Orbit (London)Bilateral Primary Mucinous Carcinoma of the Eyelid
Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeryConcordance Between Clinical and Histopathological Diagnoses of Corneal Specimens
Ophthalmology