Notch proteins are key regulators of growth and differentiation of both normal and cancer cells. Researchers in Turku, Finland, have now demonstrated that the activities of distinct Notch family members are modified differently by phosphorylation. These results can be used in the development of new cancer treatments, especially for hormone-dependent breast cancer.
The Cancer Biology laboratories of Klaus Elenius and Kari Kurppa are looking for a doctoral candidate to join a collaborative project.
Melanoma Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG) is looking for two doctoral candidates to join the group on a fixed-term grant-based position, supervised by the group leader Dr Rogerio de Figueiredo.
SORLA is a protein trafficking receptor that has been mainly studied in neurons, but it also plays a role in cancer cells. Professor Johanna Ivaska’s research group at Turku Bioscience observed that SORLA functionally contributes to the most reported therapy-resistant mechanism by which the cell-surface receptor HER3 counteracts HER2 targeting therapy in HER2-positive cancers. Removing SORLA from cancer cells sensitised anti-HER2 resistant breast cancer brain metastasis to targeted therapy.
A rapid test for ovarian cancer detection developed at the University of Turku has received the international Rapid Testing Innovation Award. The awarded article is part of the dissertation of Doctoral Candidate Sherif Bayoumy. Next, the cancer diagnostics team of the Biotechnology unit at the Department of Biochemistry aims to expand the research to other cancer types.
Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, have developed a test for ovarian cancer detection with a sensitivity 4.5 times higher than that of the conventional laboratory test. The simple lateral flow test is based on rapid detection of abnormal sugar structures directly from the blood sample.
The University of Turku has entered into a licensing agreement with an international pharma company related to targeting of CIP2A oncoprotein.
PIM kinases are enzymes that promote metastatic growth and spread of cancer cells. Researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, have obtained new information on how the PIM kinases enhance cancer cell motility by regulating the formation of actin fibres in the cytoskeleton. The published results support the development of PIM-targeted therapies to prevent metastasis formation in cancer patients.
Cancer IO is a new cancer immunotherapy focused top-level collaborative research and innovation project that starts as a part of the Business Finland’s Personalized Health Program. With a total funding of 10 million euros, Cancer IO is a significant IO focused Nordic research and innovation program.
Despite of continuous development in breast cancer treatments, metastases of the most aggressive breast cancer types are still a significant and growing medical problem. Together with a research group at Michigan University, the group of Professor Jukka Westermarck at Turku Bioscience Centre recently received funding from the US Department of Defense for the development of novel treatment strategies for breast cancer metastases.