EACR 2016

Prof Szallasi speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about disrupted DNA repair pathways in cancer that may be targeted by therapy. He summarises the mechanism of DNA repair in healthy and mutated cells and his work with next-generation sequencing of biopsy samples to uncover the origins of disease states, and how this can inform treatment selection. With specific example of BRCA mutations, Prof Szallasi considers how genomic data are part of personalised therapy, and can contribute to new drug discovery.

Dr Cordes speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the link between integrins and DNA repair. Integrins represent a family of cell adhesion molecules which, when inhibited, can aid in radiotherapeutic targeting of cancer cells. Dr Cordes reports on the overlap between this radiosensitizing capability and therapies which directly prevent the repair of damaged DNA in cancer cells. He describes how models and results from other tumours have shaped his research in cell adhesion, including the emergence of radio-resistance and combination therapies.

Prof Pharoah speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about mammographic screening, and the contributions of multiple genetic variations in determining risk. He outlines how breast cancer is best positioned to incorporate polygenic risk assessment to reduce mortality, and how improved screening can help reduce the risks of overdiagnosis.

Dr Hieken speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the significance of a potential biomarker for breast cancer in hyperplasia patients. She describes how the subpopulation of patients, those with atypical hyperplasia of the breast and high levels of ERß, can act on this information with further breast cancer treatment, and the choice faced in risk reduction. Dr Hieken also summarises the interests and technologies being investigated in her lab, and the future of breast cancer prevention.

Prof Frame speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the mechanisms of cancer invasion. She discusses her focus on squamous cell carcinoma, and how recent technological advances are informing patient treatment. With consideration of personalised medicine, Prof Frame weighs increasing specificity of known targets in drug development against novel pathways, and considers the future of proteomics in cancer biology.

Prof Samuels speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about her research into the genomic background of melanoma, and determination of tumourigenic drivers. She describes how oncogenes derived from tumour biopsy can reveal druggable targets and mutational events that can influence patient prognosis. She also discusses receiving of this years Pezcoller Foundation EACR Cancer Researcher Award.

Dr van Lohuizen speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about polycomb repressors, determinants of cell fate, and their significance in genetic modification of cancer cells. He describes how they exert a stabilising effect on tumourigenic stem cells, and disease states that arise through their aberrance. Dr van Lohuizen reports on results from lung cancer patients, and outlines his goals for deeper understanding of the genomic implications in future research.

Prof Pharoah speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the Diagnosing Cancer Earlier symposium from this year's conference. He introduces research from Dr Lyratzopoulos on the impact of symptom recognition by patients, and referral period by healthcare providers. Prof Pharoah also discusses issues facing personalised therapies, and the space for future developments.

Dr Incio speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about obesity-associated inflammation that drives cancer. He considers the influence of age and obesity, with patients weight across all stages of life being linked to risks of cancer, and goes on to introduce ongoing studies into adipose tissues in breast cancer. For more from Dr Incio on pathways in pancreatic cancer, you can read about VEGFR here and IL-1ß/AT1 here.

Published: 14.07.16 Views: 365 Rating: SHARESHORTLIST Dr Ian Waddell - Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Manchester, UK Dr Waddell speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about changes in drug discovery. With reference to his own research in PARG inhibitors, targeting therapies is described by Dr Waddell as an essential part of drug design, with biomarkers and patient selection are the forefront in trial design. He also reports on Project Achilles from Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Dr Barbacid speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about results from novel mouse models to target KRAS mutations in cancer. He describes how integrated recombinase systems, which enable the controlled expression of genes in vivo, have generated models with more readily actionable tumours for genomic and therapeutic analysis. He also addresses recent developments in combination therapies, with regard to the risk posed by cumulative toxicity, and future of personalised therapy.

Dr Hayday speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about his research into the relationship between the immune system and its surrounding tissues, in both healthy and cancerous states. He discusses the variation in immune complements by organ site, and how localisation to their niche could be a blindspot permitting proximal cancers. Dr Hayday believes that these variations could be used to target and refine immunotherapy.

Dr Seoane speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about his research into glioblastoma using circulating tumour DNA. He assesses the value of ctDNA for tracking patient disease and response, with less invasive procedures and valuable sequencing data available. For more on ctDNA, you can read ecancer coverage here or watch interviews from this year's ASCO conference with Dr Oliver Zill and Prof Philip Mack.

Dr Serrels speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the immuno-suppresive tumour microenvironment. With specific signalling pathways observed in his research into squamous cell skin carcinoma, he predicts similar modulations would be found in other tumour types, and looks forward to clinical trials of combined checkpoint inhibition and FAK pathway targeting. Prof Margaret Frame talks more about squamous cell carcinoma in an interview here.

Dr Yaffe speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the 'rewiring' of tumours to increase drug sensitivity. By pre-treating tumours with an EGFR inhibitor to trigger this rewiring response, he reports increased vulnerability to cytotoxic treatments. Dr Yaffe compares this 'dynamic' response in tumours to the 'static' pathways which can lead to oncogenesis, and may be a valuable, non-host target.

Dr Berns speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about modelling tumourigenesis in mice. He describes the value of moving from genomic testing and cellular screening to in vivo observations to determine the effect of trial therapeutics on a whole organism.

Dr Alexandrov speaks with ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the signatures and processes exhibited by genetic mutations which result in cancer. He outlines a number of processes that can contribute to disease states, including the time-bound 'clocklike' processes and socio-environmental contributors. Dr Alexandrov considers the potential impact of bioinformatics on cancer research, and discusses how his Young Investigator award will shape his future research.

Dr Moelans talks to ecancertv at EACR 2016 about the feasibility of detecting microRNAs in nipple aspiration fluid (NAF) samples. The study has shown that the aspiration procedure is associated with significantly lower discomfort rates than mammography and MRI. For BRCA mutation carriers, the aim is to develop a NAF screening tool that may help these women decide on the timing of their prophylactic surgery, up to postponement or perhaps even avoidance.

Dr Farge meets with ecancertv at EACR 2016 to discuss how mechanistic pressures from tumour cells on surrounding tissues that can lead to the spread of cancer. This is in contrast to spread of cancer through molecular signalling and cellular division, and Dr Farge describes how the physical pressure exerted by tumours can upregulate tumourigenic signalling in healthy cells. He describes the methodology behind these experiments, using magnetic liposomes to mimic tumour growth pressures.