Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity and resistance to anti-tumor immunity
Although immune checkpoint blockade therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, a subset of tumors, such as those of the breast, are still largely unresponsive. The Dongre Lab is focused on understanding mechanisms that can potentiate the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in the context of poorly responding tumors. We specifically focus on the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) as a driver of resistance to anti-tumor immunity and immune checkpoint blockade therapy in breast cancers.
The EMT is a cell biological process that facilitates the conversion of epithelial cells to more-mesenchymal derivatives. Activation of the EMT program enables cancer cells to metastasize to distant organ sites and mount refractory responses to various targeted and chemotherapeutic regimens. In addition to these well-documented features, we have recently shown that the EMT also enables breast carcinomas to establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and drive resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
The very first research publication from the Dongre Lab is now available as a preprint on bioRxiv with Shiney Chandraganti as the first author.
Congratulations to our graduate students, undergraduate students, veterinary and summer students, and collaborators for your hardwork and contributions!
Caitie Sams is interviewed by Cornell CALS!
Congratulations Caitie!
The cancer metabolism focus group (CMFG) was started in 2023. It is a collection of scientists from approximately 20 labs across Cornell-Ithaca who meet monthly to share and discuss the latest research in the area of cancer & metabolism. The members of the CMFG executive committee are Anushka Dongre (BMS, committee chair), Meng Wang (DNS), and Zeribe Nwosu (MBG).Labs in the group represent at least four different colleges and eight different departments. The idea for this center was borne out of the observation made in the Department of Biomedical Sciences that interest in cancer metabolism was steadily growing on campus during 2021-2023, with new hires in this area across several different departments and colleges. The vision for the CMFG was to create a space for these groups to come together, learn from each other, and forge collaborative connections. In particular, it was deemed that trainees should take the lead in presenting their own work or the latest cutting-edge published work in the field.
For more information on how to get involved in the CMFG, please contact Anushka Dongre (Committee Chair) and Heather Muniz (Program Support)