CCCB CURRENT PROJECTS

1. MITOTIC GENES AS BIOMARKERS FOR CANCER DRUG SENSITIVITY

Cell division genes are often overexpressed in tumors, and this commonly confers poor prognosis to the patients. We want to evaluate whether the expression of certain mitotic genes can predict sensitivity to different pharmacologic drugs.

- In collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Lilly.

- Sponsored by the AECC Scientific Foundation

2. CELL CYCLE DRUGS RESISTANCE MECHANISMS

A recurring problem in therapies with kinase inhibitors is the appearance of drug resistance mechanisms and therefore the loss of efficacy over time. Given the recent emergence of a new generation of cell division cancer drugs, the need to identify new resistance mechanisms increased substantially.

- Sponsored by the AECC Scientific Foundation

3. MITOTIC REGULATORS: ONCOGENES OR TUMOR SUPPRESSORS?

An interesting feature of cell division genes is that they are often overexpressed in cancer, and this confers poor prognosis to the patients. This is typically symbolized by the master mitotic regulator Plk1 (Polo-Like Kinase 1). Plk1 has been considered an oncogene during decades. Surprisingly, in recent years, solid data emerged indicating that Plk1 can also have a role as a tumor suppressor. The logical and immediate question that then arises is: When can Plk1 act as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogene?

- Financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science (MCIU)