Current research in the Cancer Adhesion Biology Laboratory is focused upon trying to understand how changes in the stickiness of breast cells might contribute to the spread of breast cancer. The spreading process is very dangerous, because it could lead to the formation of secondary tumours in other organs. This is still the leading cause of breast cancer deaths worldwide.
So why study breast cell stickiness (or adhesion) In the normal breast, cells stick tightly to each other and to the tissue underneath via special structures called adhesion complexes. These adhesion complexes are very important for correct functioning of the breast, and there is much evidence that they behave abnormally in cancer. For example, reduced adhesion could help tumour cells detach from each other and spread to other organs. However increased adhesion can also be dangerous - sending signals to tumours that help them grow and survive.
This means that adhesion in the normal breast is like a perfectly-balanced see-saw, and that disrupting the balance in either direction could increase the chances of cancer spreading. Using a combination of cell models and clinical samples, we are trying to understand what drives cancer cells to alter their adhesion complexes and begin spreading outside the breast. We have identified one target in particular which was not previously known to be involved in breast cancer spread. We are very hopeful that research on this target may eventually help identify patients at greatest risk of having dangerous tumours, so that they may be aggressively treated before the tumour has had a chance to spread.
Current Staff
Post Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Elaine McSherry
Dr. Simona Donatello
Post Graduate Researchers
Kieran Brennan
Irena Babina
Gozie Offiah
Lance Hudson
