Role of Cryptic Activation Site within B1 Integrins in Breast Tumor Growth

Peter Brooks, Ph.D., Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough

Recent studies suggest that a group of molecules call Integrins play critical roles in breast cancer and some work has suggested that they may actually reduce the effectiveness of certain types of chemotherapy. Our laboratory has generated an antibody that only recognizes an activated form of these molecules. The unique characteristics of this new antibody (FM155) allow us the opportunity to target these Integrins in a highly selective manner. Thus, we have proposed to evaluate the effects of combining FM155 with chemotherapy to examine whether this unique strategy may enhance the effectiveness of existing therapy for the treatment breast cancer.

MicroRNA Expression during Lung Tumor Progression

Julie Wells, Ph.D., Jackson Lab, Bar Harbor

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.  The genes and mechanisms that mediate metastasis, or spread, of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, are poorly understood.  The objective of our work is to identify which microRNAs are present and how their abundance and function changes during the progression from early-stage to late-stage pulmonary adenocarcinoma.  MicroRNAs are a class of recently discovered small, regulatory molecules.  Knowledge of which genes and molecular pathways are important during tumor progression will lay the foundation for predicting which lung tumors are likely to become metastatic and for identifying molecules for chemotherapeutic intervention.

Evaluating MicroRNA’s as Prognostic Determinants in Stage II Colon Cancer

Matthew Dugan, D.O., Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, ScarboroughEarly stage colon cancer treated with surgery alone has a small, but real, risk for recurrence elsewhere in the body. Treatment with chemotherapy greatly reduces this risk for a small proportion of patients, but carries other health risks associated with drug treatment. Patients with early stage colon cancer must choose between these alternatives. A test that can determine which early colon cancers have an aggressive tendency (very likely to recur and spread) and those that are unlikely to recur would greatly benefit patients and their oncologists. A recently discovered type of bio-molecule known as microRNA shows promise in distinguishing aggressive from non-aggressive early colon cancers. This work is aimed at developing a predictive test based on microRNA profiles of colon tumors.

Lakes Region Transportation Program, Bridgton to provide reliable transportation in the Lakes Region.

Cancer Community Center, South Portland to help sustain the Maine Buddy program.