Cancer Cell Biology (Breast Cancer)

MCF7 (Human breast adenocarcinoma cell line)

One of the keys to an improved understanding of cancer, from diagnosis to treatment, is to appreciate the mechanisms that cancer cells utilise to divide and metastasise. Cancer cell biology research is a critical part of the Division of Cancer at Imperial College and underpins the translational research within the division itself. A large number of post doctoral scientists, PhD students, technicians and clinician scientists are working together here, to delineate molecular mechanisms responsible for carcinogenesis.

One of the key themes within this has been an emphasis on signalling within cancer cells, especially the role of the hormonal receptors in diseases such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. As many individuals relapse following initial therapy, it is crucial to identify the factors implicated in resistance to standard therapy, with the ultimate aim of increasing the cure rate. One of the major objectives here is to focus on new molecules within cancer cells that may be future druggable targets.