Establishing a Drosophila colon cancer model to study interactions and therapeutic targets of oncogenic pathways

Establishing a Drosophila colon cancer model to study interactions and therapeutic targets of oncogenic pathways

    Presenter(s)

    Kathleen McCaslin

    Comments

    Presentation: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Kennedy Union Ballroom

    Description

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, with an estimated 147,950 new cases in 2020. Current treatment varies based on severity of the cancer. If potentially curable, the patient may undergo surgery; in advanced cases, chemotherapy may improve and maintain quality of life. Both treatment options are invasive and target healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. Therefore, it is important to find therapeutic targets for less invasive and more effective treatment. The objective of this project is to develop CRC models in fruit flies to test the role of Hippo and Wnt pathways in gastrointestinal cancer as potential therapeutic targets. To do so, we have (a) developed a CRC model in flies, and (b) tested the levels of Hippo and Wnt pathway activity in this model. Using fly mutants and transgenic flies we have created small patches of cancerous cells in the fly intestine in which have activated oncogenic Ras (mutation RasV12) and dominant negative p53 (mutation UASp53H15N) together with loss of function of APC. This model allows evaluation of multiple genetic combinations (one-, two-, or three- hit models) to evaluate the induced tumor, its growth profile, and the effect of the drug on tumor growth. Here we present our progress with the establishment and analyses of this tumor model.

    Publication Date

    4-20-2022

    Project Designation

    Honors Thesis

    Primary Advisor

    Madhuri Kango-Singh, Amit Singh

    Primary Advisor's Department

    Biology

    Keywords

    Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    Good Health and Well-Being

    Establishing a Drosophila colon cancer model to study interactions and therapeutic targets of oncogenic pathways

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