Solid Tumour Progression Research Unit

Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are routinely used for treating solid tumours. However, there are very few therapies that are effective in countering metastatic progression (spread to other areas of the body), which is the major cause of death associated with solid tumours. This unit aims to develop and evaluate novel compounds that control or prevent solid tumour metastasis.

Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are routinely used for treating solid tumours. However, there are very few therapies that are effective in countering metastatic progression (spread to other areas of the body), which is the major cause of death associated with solid tumours. This unit aims to develop and evaluate novel compounds that control or prevent solid tumour metastasis.

Unit researchers are using four approaches to identify novel anti-metastatic compounds. One such class of compound is now at the pre-clinical testing stage. This class of compounds, known as motuporamines, prevents tumour cell invasion and angiogenesis (ability to “sprout” new vessels and establish a blood supply), two critical aspects of metastatic solid tumour progression. With MSFHR unit funding, researchers will expand their efforts to generate a “Bank of Anti-metastatic Compounds” that targets the full range of mechanisms underlying tumour spread, and also undertake research to evaluate their effectiveness of these compounds as treatment options. This research will encompass:

• Development of cell-based screening assays to identify key molecules involved in three processes underlying tumour spread: Tumour cell invasion – the disruption of cell to cell interactions within tumours and the initiation of processes that allow cells to migrate from the tumour into the blood stream. Metastatic Apoptosis – the activation of inhibitory mechanisms that allow cells that normally would die upon detaching from the tumour to survive and travel via the blood stream to distant sites in the body. Endothelial cell sprouting – the ability of tumour cells that have traveled to distant sites to initiate angiogenesis.
• Compound development – Many natural products have evolved in nature to selectively activate, inhibit or regulate proteins that initiate various normal and abnormal cell processes. These products are lead structures for understanding cell biology and for drug development. This unit will house a library of such compounds for use in identifying those that may offer potential for preventing solid tumour spread.
• Pre-clinical testing – Using infrastructure in place at the BC Cancer Agency, researchers will test potentially useful compounds developed for the treatment of primary tumours and for inhibiting mechanisms that support the spread of these tumours to other sites in the body.

Award term completed September 2009.