Bach Lab

Head of lab

Dr. Elmina Bach

Cancer Clot and Inflammation

Enlarge

Cancer progression is regulated by the dynamic interaction between cancer cells and different components of the surrounding environment. This tumor microenvironment is composed of complex tissues that contain extracellular matrix, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion receptors, also many cell types, such as fibroblasts, immune cells, epithelial cells, adipocytes, lymphatic and endothelial cells and platelets. Compelling evidence indicates that the cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment are critical regulators of immune escape, cancer progression and metastasis and involved in acquired resistance of tumors to therapies. Tumor cell dissemination from primary organs to the metastatic sites involves the transport of cancer cells through the blood or lymphatic circulation. The dissemination of circulating cancer cells is also supported by the close interaction with blood platelets and inflammatory immune cells, enhancing tumor cell survival and establishment of metastatic niches. Tumor-related inflammation and thrombosis are hallmarks of many solid cancer types, including, breast, colon, ovarian, pancreatic and renal cell carcinoma. Infiltration of immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes into the tumor is associated with poor outcome, advanced tumor stage and grade, and tumor metastasis. Moreover, elevated platelet count and procoagulant tumor microenvironment are indicators for a poor prognosis and imply a higher risk of thromboembolic events and resistance to chemotherapies. However, the underlying molecular signaling of platelet-cancer and immune cell interplay remains poorly understood and the identification of pathomechanisms may help to develop new therapeutic avenues. We are interested in unraveling the effects of the tumor microenvironment, including inflammatory immune cells and blood platelets on primary tumor growth and understand the molecular mechanisms of tumor invasion and metastasis.

Enlarge

We evaluate the regulatory mechanisms using a wide range of biological tools, including genetic and experimental mouse models of carcinogenesis and tumor metastasis, clinically relevant blocking chemical inhibitors and antibodies and cutting-edge 3D cell culture technics. We are also exploring cellular and biochemical markers in tissue and liquid biopsies of cancer patients and integrating bioinformatic analysis and computational modeling. We have established numerous scientific collaborations with both national and international research institutes (Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU Hospital; TUM, Munich; University of Freiburg; Université Côte d'Azur, Nice; Université de Strasbourg and CRCL Lyon) bringing biologists, clinical researchers, and medical doctors together to better understand complex molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis and cancer progression. Our group is also involved in research activities with industrial partners (AdvanceCor) for testing new pharmacological tools in mouse models of cancer that target tumor microenvironment-relevant cellular and molecular pathways, including platelets and other circulating blood cells.

Publications

Publication on PubMed .