The focus of the laboratory is on interactions between tumor cells and tumor microenvironmental factors such as components of the extracellular matrix, cytokines and immunocytes, and the involvement of such interactions in tumor progression and metastasis formation.
Specific topics:
- Molecules mediating the interaction of cancer cells with endothelial cells of metastatic sites.
- The interaction of melanoma and neuroblastoma cells with the metastatic microenvironment
- Molecular signatures of melanoma brain metastasis and of neuroblastoma macro and micro metastasis
Scientific Contributions:
- A receptor for Fc of IgG (FcRII) may function as a tumor progression factor in non-immunohematopoietic cancer.
- Murine Ly-6 proteins are involved in the progression of 2 independent tumor systems.
- A murine model system for secondary leukemia has been established.
- A regulatory mechanism regulating the expression of selectin ligands in tumor cells and activated lymphocytes.
- A chemokine-chemokine receptor interaction may be involved in site-specific metastasis of neuroblastoma cells.
Publications:
Authored 210 research papers & reviews
Edited and guest-edited 11 books
Wrote the Chapter on: “Tumor Microenvironment” – Encyclopedia of Cancer – 2nd & 3rd Edition (M. Schwab Editor)