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University of Colorado Denver

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Numsen Hail, Jr., MS, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Image of Numsen Hail PhD

Mailing address:

University of Colorado School of Pharmacy
Mail Stop C238
12850 E. Montview Blvd. V20-2108
Aurora, CO 80045

Office Location:

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Building (V20)
Second Floor
Room 2108

Lab Location:

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Building (V20)
Second Floor
Room 2212

Contact:

Training and Education:

  • BS, Texas A&M University (Biology/Biochemistry)
  • MS, The University of Texas/Houston (Environmental Sciences/Toxicology)
  • PhD, The University of Texas/Houston (Toxicology)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Cancer
  • Chemoprevention and Cell Death Regulation)

Research Interest:

Cancer chemoprevention uses natural or synthetic agents to slow the progression of, reverse, or inhibit carcinogenesis, thereby lowering the risk of developing invasive or clinically significant disease.  Epigenetic changes in transformed cells like reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress are emerging as key players in tumorigenesis at various sites in the human body.  We hypothesize that the transformation-specific changes in cellular bioenergetic and/or redox processes in certain epithelial cell types may dictate their sensitivity to specific classes of chemopreventive agents.  We are currently investigating the mechanistic aspects of cytostasis and/or apoptosis induction by several putative cancer chemopreventive agents (e.g., phenolic compounds and coenzyme Q analogues) in premalignant and malignant human epithelial cells.  By modulating these epigenetic changes, perhaps resulting in apoptosis induction in the transformed cells, we foresee methods for preventing malignancies in humans.

Review Articles:

  1. Hail, N., Jr., and Lotan, R.  Cancer chemoprevention and mitochondria: targeting apoptosis in transformed cells via the disruption of mitochondrial bioenergetics/redox state.  Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 53: 49-67, 2009.
  2. Hail, N., Jr., Cortes, M., Drake, E.N., Spallholz, J.E.  Cancer chemoprevention: a radical perspective.  Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 45: 97-110, 2008.
  3. Hail, N., Jr., Kim, H. J., and Lotan, R. Mechanisms of fenretinide-induced apoptosis.  Apoptosis, 11: 1677-1694, 2006.
  4. Hail, N., Jr., Carter, B.Z., Konopleva, M., and Andreeff, M. Apoptosis effector mechanisms: A requiem performed in different keys.  Apoptosis, 11: 889–904, 2006.
  5. Hail, N., Jr. Mitochondria: a novel target for the chemoprevention of cancer.  Apoptosis, 10: 687-705, 2005.
  6. Hail, N., Jr., Sun, S.-Y., and Lotan, R. Apoptosis as a novel target for cancer chemoprevention.  Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 96: 662-672, 2004.
  7. Hail, N., Jr. Mechanisms of vanilloid-induced apoptosis.  Apoptosis, 8: 251-262, 2003.