Anthony Koleske, MD and Titus Boggon, MD
Yale University Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Pharmacology:
Targeting a Breast Cancer Invasion Control Switch
Awarded $50,000
About the Project: Metastasis, or the spread of disease from one organ or part of the body to another, is the primary cause of breast cancer deaths. Metastatic breast cancer cells must penetrate through a certain kind of membrane in the body. Invasive breast cancer cells form protrustions that break down the membrane barriers and allow the cells to penetrate them. Drs. Koleske and Boggon have identified proteins that turn on the formation of these protrusions. By knocking these proteins out of breast cancer cells, it would disrupt the cells ability to invade the membrane and metastasize. They are hoping to turn their findings into a drug that would treat breast cancer invasion and metastasis.