The overall goal of the research in the Department of Cancer Biology is to better understand the basic mechanisms of neoplastic transformation, tumor progression, development of biological heterogeneity in neoplasms, and the processes of cancer angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The design of more effective therapies for different cancers follows the advances in cancer biology.

There are ongoing studies on he role and regulation of the expression and activity of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. In addition, research is being directed toward investigating the fundamental mechanisms regulating gene transcription and strategies that may be employed to affect gene expression specifically. We are interested in identifying specific genetic predispositions to cancer and the karyotypic abnormalities associated with specific neoplasms and their progression.

Our faculty members focus on the mechanisms by which tumor cells interact with normal cells and with extracellular matrix to affect cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. They are also studying how host cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells recognize, bind to, and kill tumor cells under some environmental conditions but stimulate their invasion, survival, and growth under others. Research is also directed at the identification of organ-specific growth factors and inhibitors and delineating the biochemical events involved in the activation and transport of external cellular signals.

Metastasis Model
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Immunofluorescence of endothelial cells stained for Factor VIII (red), ATP synthase (green), and nuclei (blue) (Hoechst 33342).
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Investigations are also being carried out to determine the biological significance of cell membrane phospholipid asymmetry, how it is maintained, and understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate the process of programmed cell death.

The process of angiogenesis is essential for tumor progression and metastasis. We are studying the molecular regulation of angiogenesis by tumor cells and normal host cells. The application of these findings to therapeutic intervention at the preclinical and clinical levels is an important goal of our research.

The faculty are also studying the immunogenic characteristics of neoplasms and the design of effective immunotherapeutic modalities for solid tumors, regional lymph node metastases, and visceral and CNS metastases. We are studying macrophage activation, the molecular mechanisms that allow macrophages to distinguish self from altered self, the biochemical pathways for generation of antitumor molecules, and the testing of these principles in clinical trials.