Cancer Cell Signalling

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES / Cancer

Research Interests

Cancer development, progression and metastasis; tumour microenvironment and cell–cell interactions; cancer cell signalling and mechanotransduction; metabolic reprogramming, therapy resistance; p53 and mutant p53 pathways; Pin1 prolyl isomerase; organoid-based disease models relevant to resource-constrained settings.

Description of Research

The Cancer Cell Signalling Group conducts research aimed at addressing critical challenges in cancer diagnosis, progression, and treatment that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where late-stage presentation, limited access to targeted therapies, and high treatment costs contribute to poor patient outcomes. Our work seeks to generate knowledge that can underpin affordable, scalable, and effective cancer research and therapeutic strategies suited to resource-constrained health systems.

We study how cancer cells interact with and remodel the tumour microenvironment during tumour initiation, progression, and metastatic dissemination. Tumours are investigated as dynamic ecosystems in which genetic and epigenetic alterations integrate with physical, mechanical, and metabolic cues from surrounding tissues to regulate cell fate, cellular plasticity, and response to therapy. Understanding these conserved mechanisms is essential for identifying intervention points that are broadly applicable across cancer types and population settings.

A major focus of our research is the integration of metabolic and mechanical signalling with oncogenic pathways, particularly p53 and mutant p53 networks, their interaction with YAP/TAZ transcriptional regulators, and the role of the prolyl isomerase Pin1 as a central coordinator of oncogenic signalling, metabolism, epigenetic regulation, and cancer stem cell function. These pathways are selected because they represent fundamental drivers of tumour aggressiveness and therapy resistance and offer opportunities for biomarker development and therapeutic targeting that can be translated into cost-effective clinical approaches.

Current research activities include the study of oncogene-driven metabolic reprogramming, mechano-genomic pathways, non-coding RNAs in therapy resistance, and the influence of aging and tissue context on tumour evolution. We employ complementary experimental systems, including engineered 2D and 3D co-culture models, patient-derived organoids, and model organisms. These are combined with advanced imaging, single-cell and spatial omics, drug repositioning strategies, and structure-based drug discovery approaches, with a strong emphasis on identifying robust biomarkers and repurposable drug targets that can reduce development costs and accelerate accessibility in LMICs.

In line with ICGEB’s mandate, this research programme is closely integrated with capacity-building activities. It supports the training of early-career scientists from LMICs through hands-on research, technology transfer, and participation in international scientific meetings and collaborative networks. By strengthening local research capacity and fostering South–South and South–North collaboration, the programme contributes to the sustainable development of cancer research expertise in low-resource settings.

Development relevance: By aligning advanced cancer cell signalling research with affordability, accessibility, and capacity-building objectives, this programme contributes to improved understanding of cancer progression and therapy resistance while supporting the development of practical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies relevant to low- and middle-income countries.

Recent Publications