Metastasis Research

• Research Home
>
• Laboratory Research
>
• Cancer Cell Biology Program
>
• Metastasis Research

Metastasis Research - Research at Peter Mac

The Metastasis Research Laboratory aims to understand the molecular events underlying the process of metastasis, focusing primarily on breast and colon cancer. From this knowledge, new treatments can be developed for cancer that has metastasised (spread to other parts of the body).

Research focus

Development of animal models of metastatic disease, focusing on breast and colon cancer. Identification of genes that control the process of metastasis. Examination of the molecular interactions between tumour cells and surrounding host cells. Development of molecular targeted therapies to prevent or treat metastatic disease.

Research overview

The Metastasis Research Laboratory studies the process of metastasis — the spread of cancer to other sites — which is the main cause of morbidity for patients with solid cancers. Whilst therapy for primary tumours is often effective, there are few treatment options for patients whose tumours have spread to other organs. It is our overall aim to identify the key genes that regulate the process of metastasis, expressed by either the tumour cells or by surrounding host cells. From this information, compounds that specifically target these gene products can be identified and tested for their potential to block the process of metastasis, initially in preclinical models, and later in patients. To progress these studies, we have developed clinically relevant models of metastatic disease in mice, primarily for breast cancer, but also for colon cancer. We are further refining these models to study metastasis to specific sites such as bone, liver or brain. From our genomic profiling of the primary tumours and their metastases in various organs, we have identified genes critical to the process of metastasis. These genes are potential targets for development of new molecular based therapies for advanced cancer and/or are useful prognostic markers of disease progression. Our current studies are aimed at understanding how these genes regulate metastasis and focused on developing compounds to inhibit their activity.