LRF Centre
Professor MF Greaves PhD MRCPath HonMRCP
CRC Biomolecular Structure Unit
S Neidle PhD
DHSS Unit
Professor J Chamberlain MB FRCP FFCM
Recent and
Current Research at The Institute
As indicated from the titles of the various Institute sections and units, our activities in basic and applied research are extremely varied, making The Institute one of the most comprehensive centres for the study and treatment of cancer in Europe. Cancer biology involves fundamental aspects of gene and protein structure, regulation of cell growth and proliferation. Since the development of cancer is now recognised as involving changes in these basic molecules and processes, much of cancer research is geared towards tackling these biological questions that also have a fundamental relevance to almost all other areas of biology, pathology and medicine.
The nature of cancer research has changed radically over recent years. This is due primarily to technical innovations, such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant DNA/ gene cloning, whole body scanning, imaging and computing techniques, that have had a major impact in opening up new horizons. These exciting developments are reflected in our current research priorities.
Innovative and clinically relevant research of The Institute in the past few years includes the following:
1. In the field of Cancer Biology and Molecular Genetics
the discovery of the oncogene n-ras and its activation in human cancer by point mutations
the identification of a novel hybrid
oncogene plus normal gene (abl-bcr) and its protein product in human acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
the description of structural alterations associated with the oncogene met associated with cancer cell formation
the chromosome localisation of genes responsible for some familial forms of
cancer
the discovery of novel chromosome alterations associated with sarcoma
the analysis of the erb B oncogene and its amplification in breast cancer the identification of nuclear proteins regulating tissue specific gene transcription.
2. In the field of Cell Biology
the identification of the cell surface receptor for the AIDS virus (HIV)
the discovery of interactions between stem cells, growthfactors and matrix proteins (glycosaminoglycans) regulating haemopoietic stem cell growth and differentiation
the discovery of the transcytosis of IgA by hepatocytes
the first description of the clonal structure of epithelial issue
the development of small cell lung carcinoma and teratocarcinoma cell lines that produce their own (“autocrine”) growth factors.
3. In the fields of Drug Development and
Cancer Detection and Treatment
the design, synthesis and evaluation of selective enzyme inhibitors and the development of analogue drugs which have led to the discovery of a number of novel antitumour agents
the development and application of radiotherapy as a very effective treatment for testicular tumours (80% cure rate)
the computer based analysis of the structure of DNA-drug complexes and their molecular modelling