Cancer Research
Through innovative research, we are working hard to bring foward the day when all cancers are cured.
Cancer Research Projects
Epigenetic regulation of colorectal cancer by immune cell oxidants and gut bacteria
Status: In-progress Year: 2022 Funded: $110,000 Grant Type: Major Project Grant
Mutations in DNA cause cancer, but cancer can also occur through changes to chemical signatures on DNA (such as methylation) without altering the genetic code itself. We recently discovered that certain oxidants released by activated immune cells directly alter DNA methylation patterns in cells. These oxidants, called chloramines, are produced through the reaction of HOCl (chlorine bleach) and nitrogen containing compounds called amines. Rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) are very high in NZ and its development and progression is strongly associated with gut inflammation. Mounting evidence also suggest that gut resident bacteria have a role to play in CRC progression. The CRC microenvironment represents a setting where a reaction between HOCl produced by stimulated immune cells and amines produced by gut bacteria is likely to occur. We would now like to examine how chloramines influence DNA methylation in CRC cells. Furthermore, we will determine if other compounds produced by gut bacteria enhance production of the oxidants in immune cells. This research will provide new insight into how the microbes in our gut combine with immune cells to promote CRC. This may lead to new strategies for preventing or slowing the progression of this devastating disease.
Researcher // Dr Annika Seddon – University of Otago
Dr Annika Seddon is investigating if inflammation and aging modify the human epigenome.
More About Dr Annika SeddonA new role for peroxidasin in modulating the invasive potential of cancer cells
Status: In-progress Year: 2021 Funded: $110,000 Grant Type: Major Project Grant
Cancer is a leading cause of death and disability in New Zealand, as it is worldwide. Nine out of 10 cancer deaths are a result of cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The complex process of invasion is not entirely understood and new strategies to reduce cancer cell invasion are needed to improve cancer outcomes. Peroxidasin, an enzyme that produces highly reactive oxidising species, was shown to promote tumour progression in several types of cancer including melanoma, breast, ovarian, prostate and brain cancer. High peroxidasin levels correlate with increased cancer cell invasion and poor patient survival. Our work has shown that peroxidasin is highly elevated in invasive metastatic melanoma and invasive breast cancer cells compared to cells with low invasiveness. Moreover, we have discovered that inhibition of peroxidasin activity reduces invasion in these cells. This finding confirms peroxidasin as a target for novel treatments. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of how peroxidasin promotes invasion are not known. We aim to identify how peroxidasin activity promotes cancer cell invasion and how this knowledge can be used for innovative therapeutic approaches to reduce invasion.
Researcher // Dr Martina Paumann-Page – University of Otago
Dr Paumann-Page is interested in how reactions of mammalian peroxidases are involved in health and disease. The main focus of her research is to investigate what role human peroxidasin plays in invasive metastatic melanoma and fibrosis.
More About Dr Martina Paumann-Page