I am a cardiologist and physician-scientist. My research focuses on understanding the association between heart failure and cancer.
Heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, is a common and lethal disease. Recent observations have suggested that patients with heart failure are at increased risk of developing cancer and dying.
We are using novel methods to test my assumption that the failing heart produces and releases small extracellular vesicles that accelerate tumor progression. Extracellular vesicles are small, membrane-bound particles that contain proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other molecular components. They are released by the cells into the extracellular environment and can transfer their cargo to adjacent and distant cells and execute biological functions. Small extracellular vesicles involve various physiological and disease processes, such as tumor growth and metastasis.
However, the contribution of small extracellular vesicles from the failing heart to tumor progression has never been studied.
Our research on the mechanism that links two serious diseases can help us better understand the underlying biological pathways that link the two. In addition, our research can also help us to uncover therapeutic targets and similar treatments for both diseases.
Contact information:
Prof. Jonathan Leor
Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center
web site: https://leor-lab.wixsite.com/leor/lab
