Giancotti Laboratory
Filippo Giancotti, M.D., Ph.D.
Olla S. Stribling Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research Scientific Director, David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancer
Co-Leader, Prostate Cancer Moon Shot
Areas of Research
- Breast Cancer Research
- Pancreatic Cancer Research
- Prostate Cancer Research
Welcome to the Giancotti Laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Our laboratory studies the molecular basis of tumor initiation and progression to metastasis with emphasis on the role of adhesion signaling in these processes. Our research program spans several cancer types - including breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer - and multiple target organs, and it aims to not only shed light on the biology of metastasis but also to bring to the clinic an entire new class of therapeutics.
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Research in the Giancotti Laboratory is focused on:
- Integrin signaling
- NF2/Merlin
- Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
- Cancer stem cells
- Metastatic dormancy and reactivation
- Resistance to therapy
Approaches:
- Biochemistry
- Somatic cell genetics
- Mouse genetics
- Genetic screens
- Integrated oncogenomics
Selected Publications
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Cell
Multi-organ Site Metastatic Reactivation Mediated by Non-canonical Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 Signaling
Gao H, Chakraborty G, Zhang Z, Akalay I, Gadiya M, Gao Y, Sinha S, Hu J, Jiang C, Akram M, Brogi E, Leitinger B, Giancotti FG
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Nature Cell Biology
The Rho GTPase Rnd1 suppresses mammary tumorigenesis and EMT by restraining Ras-MAPK signalling
Okada T, Sinha S, Esposito I, Schiavon G, López-Lago MA, Su W, Pratilas CA, Abele C, Hernandez JM, Ohara M, Okada M, Viale A, Heguy A, Socci ND, Sapino A, Seshan VE, Long S, Inghirami G, Rosen N, Giancotti FG
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Forward genetic screens in mice uncover mediators and suppressors of metastatic reactivation
Gao H, Chakraborty G, Lee-Lim AP, Mavrakis KJ, Wendel HG, Giancotti FG
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Cancer Cell
Merlin/NF2 Loss-Driven Tumorigenesis Linked to CRL4DCAF1-Mediated Inhibition of the Hippo Pathway Kinases Lats1 and 2 in the Nucleus
Li W, Cooper J, Zhou L, Yang C, Erdjument-Bromage H, Zagzag D, Snuderl M, Ladanyi M, Hanemann CO, Zhou P, Karajannis MA, Giancotti FG.
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The Journal of Clinical Investigation
β4 Integrin signaling induces expansion of prostate tumor progenitors
Yoshioka T, Otero J, Chen Y, Kim YM, Koutcher JA, Satagopan J, Reuter V, Carver B, de Stanchina E, Enomoto K, Greenberg NM, Scardino PT, Scher HI, Sawyers CL, Giancotti FG
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Cell
The BMP Inhibitor Coco Reactivates Breast Cancer Cells at Lung Metastatic Sites
Gao H, Chakraborty G, Lee-Lim AP, Mo Q, Decker M, Vonica A, Shen R, Brogi E, Brivanlou AH, Giancotti FG.
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Cell
Merlin/NF2 Suppresses Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase CRL4DCAF1 in the Nucleus
Li W, You L, Cooper J, Schiavon G, Pepe-Caprio A, Zhou L, Ishii R, Giovannini M, Hanemann CO, Long SB, Erdjument-Bromage H, Zhou P, Tempst P, Giancotti FG
Selected Review Articles
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Cell
Mechanisms governing metastatic dormancy and reactivation
Giancotti FG
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EMBO Rep.
Merlin: a tumour suppressor with functions at the cell cortex and in the nucleus.
Li W, Cooper J, Karajannis MA, Giancotti FG.
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Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol.
Positional control of cell fate through joint integrin/receptor protein kinase signaling.
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Science
Integrin signaling.
Funding
Research in the Giancotti Lab is supported by several extramural grants predominantly from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
Filippo Giancotti was among the first recipients of the NCI's Outstanding Investigator Award that supports accomplished research leaders who are providing significant contributions toward understanding cancer. In 2016, Filippo Giancotti received the Recruitment of Established Investigators Award.
Current Grant Support
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NCI 1 R01 CA191222 (PI: Giancotti /Zauderer) 1/1/2016 - 12/31/2020
Therapeutic efficacy of the CRL inhibitor MLN4924 in NF2 mutant mesothelioma
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NCI 1 R01 CA164295 (PI: Karajannis) 7/1/2015 - 6/30/2017
Exploration of Activity of RAD001 in Vivo in Vestibular Schwannomas and Meningiomas
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NCI 5 P01 CA094060 (PI: Norton/ Giancotti) 9/16/2014 - 6/30/2019
Program Project in Models of Breast Cancer (Project 4: RND1 – Mediated Breast Cancer Suppression)
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NCI 1 R35 CA197566 (PI: Giancotti) 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2023
Mechanisms governing metastatic dormancy and reactivation
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CPRIT RR160031 (PI: Giancotti) 3/1/2016 - 2/28/2021
Recruitment of Established Investigators Award
Life in the Lab
Giancotti Lab members at The Menil Collection
Giancotti Lab members at The Menil Collection
Giancotti Lab members at The Menil Collection
Giancotti Lab members gather after a seminar
Giancotti Lab members at lab holiday party