You are invited to attend this seminar hosted by the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology:
Date: Friday, 27 October 2023
Time: 11.00AM – 12.00PM
Venue: IMCB Seminar Room 03-46, Level 3 Proteos, Biopolis, Singapore 138673 (Physical)
Speaker: Dr. Hyun Woo Park, Yonsei University
Host: Prof. Hong Wanjin, IMCB
Anchorage Plasticity Reconstructs the Metastatic Cascade
Abstract
Our lab focuses on mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies to target anchorage plasticity within the metastatic cascade from the dissemination of solid tumor cells to the colonization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). We discovered a novel biological phenomenon termed “Adherent-to-Suspension Transition” (AST) that reprograms anchorage dependency of solid tumor cells into suspension cells via defined hematopoietic transcription factors referred to as AST factors. Remarkably, ectopic delivery of AST factors endows adherent cells with anchorage-independent growth by eliciting spontaneous cell rounding, cell-matrix dissociation, and anoikis resistance. In human pathophysiology, we have uncovered the critical role of AST factors during blood-borne metastasis of solid tumors, where spontaneous dissemination of primary tumors produces CTCs. Inhibition of AST factors in breast cancers dramatically attenuated cancer cell dissemination, CTC formation, lung metastasis, and prolonged survival without affecting primary tumor growth. Together, we aim to establish this novel paradigm to reveal undescribed mechanisms and key players underlying cancer dissemination and metastasis, and further develop new anti-metastatic drugs.
Biography
Hyun Woo Park is currently the leader of Translational Cancer Research Laboratory at Yonsei University and the Director of AST Metastasis Research Center funded by the National Grand Challenges Initiative. Dr. Park earned his degree in 2010 from Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, and continued his postdoctoral fellowship at UCSD Moorse Cancer Center in molecular cancer biology, where he studied oncogenic signaling networks including the mechanisms of Hippo, Wnt, and autophagy in cancer progression and metastasis.
Upon becoming an independent researcher, Dr. Park pioneered a novel concept in cell biology referred to as Adherent-to-Suspension Transition (AST). This innovative paradigm outlines the role of hematopoietic transcription factors in metastasis, explaining how they reprogram the anchorage dependency of solid tumor cells to enable transformation into circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
In his current research, Dr. Park is focused on the development of next generation anti-metastatic strategies that target the AST factors in CTCs. Additionally, he is exploring therapeutic strategies that tackle dysregulated cancer metabolism. This involves integrating non-oncology drugs and dietary interventions in both human and transgenic animal models.
ALL ARE WELCOME (No registration required)
