Inflammatory and Metabolic Pathways in Cancer

The signaling pathways that regulate inflammation and cell proliferation, and their interface with autophagy and metabolism, are central to the control of tumor initiation and progression as well as in the development of metastasis. The Moscat laboratory studies these processes in the context of the crosstalk between the tumor epithelium, the tumor stroma, and its immunological microenvironment. Emphasis is placed on colorectal and liver cancer. The lab pays particular attention to the role and mechanism of action of several key signaling molecules, which include the autophagy and signaling adapters p62 and NBR1, and their binding partners, the atypical protein kinase C isoforms PKCζ and PKCλ⁄ι. The study of these fundamental biological questions results in the identification of non-oncogenic vulnerabilities that will lead to the design of more efficacious and less toxic anti-cancer therapies by targeting not only the epithelium but also the tumor stroma.

Weill Cornell Medicine published Newsroom article on our research. Read it here!

Active Projects

• Autophagy and cell survival in intestinal tumorigenesis
• Stem cell populations and signaling in intestinal inflammation and cancer
• Stromal activation and immune response in therapy resistance in colorectal cancer
• Stromal control of the immunological microenvironment in liver cancer
• Metabolic reprograming and oxidative stress in hepatocellular carcinoma
• Identification and design of new anti-cancer drugs targeting the serine metabolism