Presented by:

Samy Y. Lamouille, PhD
Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
CEO, Acomhal Research Inc.

Abstract:

During cancer progression, cellular plasticity underlies metastatic disease and tumor recurrence, while concomitantly conferring resistance to current therapies. We are developing targeted approaches to cancer treatment by investigating the relationship between tumor microenvironment cues and resulting downstream signaling. A major focus of our research lies in a novel tumorigenic function for the gap junction protein connexin43 involving an increased interaction with microtubules which we have identified in glioblastoma cancer stem cells and during epithelial-mesenchymal transition.  Disruption of this interaction using mimetic peptide approaches specifically impacts cancer stem cell survival in addition to limiting cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Modulation of non-junctional connexin43 functions therefore represents a viable therapeutic approach to target plasticity events common to many cancers.

About Dr. Lamouille:

Dr. Lamouille’s lab studies how cancer cells communicate and is developing novel therapeutic strategies to target these communication mechanisms to prevent metastases in human cancer progression. In particular, the lab specializes in studying epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) – a process that enables cancer cells to undergo a complete reprogramming at the trasncription, translation, and post-translation levels, leading cancer cells to acquire the invasive characteristics that promote cell proliferation and metastases in new tissues.

The Lamouille Lab analyzes the channel-dependent and -independent roles of connexin proteins during EMT and in cancer stem cells. Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent inducer of EMT and regulator of cancer stemness through Smad and non-Smad signaling, and crosstalk with other pathways such as Notch and Wnt. Dr. Lamouille studies how these signaling pathways modulate connexin localization and function in cancer cells that undergo EMT, and in cancer stem cells. The lab is developing novel therapeutic strategies using mimetic peptides to specifically disrupt protein-protein interactions that enhance the tumorigenic characteristics of cancer cells. To carry these discoveries forward and pursue clinical trials, Dr. Lamouille co-founded Acomhal Research Inc. in partnership with Dr. Rob Gourdie.