Experimental oncology
Cell signaling
This group studies the molecular events that regulate activation and signaling in normal and malignant cells. Different classes of transmembrane receptors can activate distinct signaling pathways; this will drive proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis depending on the nature of the receptor and the following signaling pathways. The investigation of these elements will potentially lead to the identification of proteins and mechanisms that may be exploited as novel therapeutic targets in oncology.
Research activity
The research activity of the Cell signaling unit is currently focused on the analysis of distinct signaling pathways in leukemia, lymphoma, and more recently in kidney cancer.
Cell signaling unit focused on B-cell receptor (BCR) and Toll-like receptors (TLR) signaling in leukemia and lymphoma. Briefly, we discovered that distinct BCR-signaling pathways are constitutively activated in a subset chronic lymphocytic leukemia, resembling a molecular signature of anergy; importantly, targeting anergy by using NFAT and MEK inhibitors triggered cell death.
The group also found that distinct Toll-like receptors are expressed on chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, and they are functionally involved in regulating NF-kB activation, cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis; on the contrary, the inhibitory receptor IL1R8/SIGIRR is downregulated in malignant cells. To note, targeting TLR signaling sensitizes leukemia to cell death suggesting novel therapeutic perspectives and combination strategies.
We are currently interested in better understanding the transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms regulating inflammatory signaling in malignant cells.
