The Roots of New Research

Ramadevi Subramani Reddy, Ph.D., still remembers the neem tree from her childhood in India. Her grandmother relied on it as a natural remedy for fevers, infections and other ailments. 

Decades later, that same tree is inspiring pancreatic cancer research at Texas Tech Health El Paso. 

With support from a $45,000 grant from the Lizanell and Colbert Coldwell Foundation, cancer biologist Dr. Subramani Reddy is studying gedunin, a natural compound from the neem tree. Her research in the Center of Emphasis in Cancer explores whether the compound could fight pancreatic cancer with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. 

The research addresses a critical need in the Borderplex. According to the National Cancer Institute, El Paso County has one of the highest pancreatic cancer rates in Texas at 8.8 cases per 100,000 residents. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with an overall five-year survival rate in the single digits.

Since joining Texas Tech Health El Paso in 2012, Dr. Reddy has dedicated much of her career to studying how cancer spreads. Her work focuses on the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, a cellular communication system that regulates tumor growth and metastasis. 

Her research examines whether gedunin could disrupt that pathway to slow the spread of pancreatic cancer cells. 

“Most chemotherapeutic drugs are a little toxic,” Dr. Subramani Reddy said. “Finding an effective drug with fewer adverse effects is very important.” 

The study also reflects her long-standing interest in natural compounds and their potential in medicine. 

“I’ve known this plant for over 40 years,” she said. “People use it in everyday life in India, from cooking to traditional remedies. Researching a natural product like this is very significant.” 

She hopes her research could one day improve survival and quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients, particularly in underserved communities along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Making a Difference

• Since 1991, the Lizanell and Colbert Coldwell Foundation has invested more than $1.6 million in research at Texas Tech Health El Paso, helping drive discoveries that improve health across the Borderplex. 

• That investment also supports research across the university, including: 

– Dr. Munmun Chattopadhyay is studying new therapeutic approaches to reduce heart damage associated with diabetes and obesity. 

– Dr. Hareesh Babu Nair is advancing drug discovery research to improve treatments for cancer cachexia and help patients maintain strength during cancer care.