The Unit carries out research on the molecular mechanisms and genetics of cancer with the aim of discovering new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for the disease. Research activities are focusing in two directions:
1. Investigation of the mechanisms of skin cancer progression
Study of cancer progression has been greatly strengthened by the multistage mouse skin carcinogenesis model (Fig. 1). Research in this area is focusing on using the model to elucidate t he cross-talk of steroid receptors with the Ras/JNK/ERK pathway and the AP-1 transcription factors incancer progression and to devise ways of suppressing or even reversing the progression. The role of biological and chemical agents in modifying the course of the disease is investigated as well (Fig. 2) (supported by PENED 069 and ENTER 01EP94).
Fig. 1 : Summary of key alterations regulating stage-to-stage transition during mouse skin carcinogenesis. A series of cell lines representing the three distinct stages in mouse skin carcinogenesis (initiation, promotion and progression) is shown (Zoumpourlis et. al. Carcinogenesis 24, 1159-1164, 2003).
Fig. 2: Effect of dnATF-2 overexpression on in vivo tumorigenesis in BALB/c SCID mice (Papassava et. al Cancer Res 64, 8573-84, 2004).
2. In search of new therapeutic targets for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer develops from an early androgen-dependent stage to an androgen-independent metastatic state. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms governing signal transduction via the androgen receptor (mutant /wild-type) and receptor crosstalk with the p53 and AP-1 transcription factors with the aim of identifying new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets likely to impact the course of the disease (supported by bilateral co-operation projects with France and the Czech Republic).
