Molecular Endocrinology Team

Team Leader: Professor Mitch Dowsett

Location: Chester Beatty Laboratories, London

Section: Academic Department of Biochemistry

This group conducts a number of studies in the molecular biology of breast cancer which are expected to have significant clinical parallels. A dominant feature is our interest in the mechanisms which underpin hormonal resistance in breast cancer cells. Thus we have established breast cancer cell lines which have been selected against a background of very low oestrogen concentrations. The molecular investigation of these indicates that the MAP-kinase pathway may be a dominant feature whereby these cells are sensitised to stimulation by the persistent low oestrogen level. Our recent activities extend to assessing the interaction of signal transduction inhibitors with hormonal therapy in trying to delay the onset of hormonal resistance, or indeed to reverse it.

In addition the role of COX II in the control of aromatase in breast cancer is being assessed. This may establish COX II as a viable target for chemoprevention in breast cancer patients.

Professor Mitch Dowsett and Dr Lesley-Ann Martin are Group Leaders of Molecular Endocrinology, a joint collaboration between the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre and the Academic Department of Biochemistry.