Publications
Clinical Relevance
Breast cancer recurrence and subsequent metastasis is the cause of the majority of breast cancer related deaths. When and why breast cancer recurrence occurs also remains poorly understood. Examining the mechanisms of survival under long-term stress can provide information as to how to target these dormant cells.
Projects
AMPKα isoform activity in breast cancer dormancy
Studying the effect of differential AMPKα isoform on breast cancer cell growth and survival in response to metabolic stressors, including models of long-term stress as a means of understanding breast cancer dormancy. Breast cancer recurrence and subsequent metastasis is the cause of the majority of breast-cancer related deaths. When and why breast cancer recurrence occurs also remains poorly understood. Examining the mechanisms of survival under long-term stress can provide information as to how to target these dormant cells.
Mechanisms for AMPKα suppression in bladder cancer
Our preliminary studies have shown that AMPKα protein is suppressed in bladder cancer, however the exact mechanism that causes suppression is unknown. We currently investigating what mechanisms lead to this suppression, in particular we are focusing on the contribution of inflammation in this process.
B-Cell affinity maturation in breast cancer patient sentinel lymph nodes: a means of tumor antigen discovery through patient-derived antibodies.
Our research makes use of anti-tumor immune reactions activated in breast cancer patients to identify tumor-associated antigens and develop targeted immunotherapies. The foundation of our strategy is based on the ability of a patient’s immune system to mount a humoral immune response to breast cancer. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), or tumor draining nodes, are the first to encounter lymph from a tumor and are potential sources of tumor-interacting antibodies. We have developed a method that isolates B-cells whose B-cell receptors (BCRs) are undergoing affinity maturation in SLN secondary follicles. These B-cells have the potential for producing antigen-driven antibodies that target breast cancer antigens. Promising B-cell receptors are identified, cloned and produced prior to screening for selective targeting of tumor cells. Using this approach, we have identified several promising antibodies, which are currently under development.