Albert Einstein Cancer Center

Our lab is dissecting the mechanisms of cancer metastasis using
animal models. The focus is on how cell motility and chemotaxis in
the tumor microenvironment contributes to tumor cell invasion,
intravasation and metastasis. We utilize a combination of genetic
manipulations using both cell lines and transgenic models with
intravital microscopy that allow direct evaluation of cell motility
in the primary tumor. Our studies with EGF receptor family members
have demonstrated that increased receptor expression can enhance
invasion and metastasis with little or no effect on primary tumor growth.
NIH funding has been received now to extend these studies
further. Possible areas of study include: studying how vessel
permeability affects primary tumor cell motility and intravasation,
the role of autocrine signaling in EGF receptor enhancement of
intravasation and metastasis, and identifying other molecules
important for intravasation and metastasis.