Dr Ana Costa-Pereira

Cytokines and Cancer Cell Signalling

Our previous research work has provided novel insights into deregulation of Janus kinase (JAK)/ Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) signalling and associated changes in cytokine responses in a variety of human and mouse cells, an area which can potentially provide us with increased comprehension of mechanisms of cancer progression.

Accordingly, we use JAK/STAT signalling as a paradigm to understand how signal transduction specificity is achieved so that we can translate this information into more effectively targeted cancer therapies. More specifically, we aim to:

establish the contribution of JAKs and/or STATs in drug resistance and/or immune evasion mechanisms;
determine the impact of inhibition and/or knockdown of JAKs and/or STATs in tumour cell survival in response to a variety of cellular stresses;
study the regulation of the cell cycle and DNA damage responses by death associated protein kinases (DAPKs);

define the mechanism(s) of the mutational switch of an interleukin (IL)-6 response to an interferon (IFN)-g-like response in the absence of STAT3;
identify additional pathways activated by Type I and II IFNs and their role(s) in IFN signalling, and thereby enhance our current understanding of IFN actions.

Clinical specialty relevant to: oncology and immunology

Further information can be obtained using the following links:

http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/people/a.costa-pereira/

http://www1.imperal.ac.uk/medicine/research/researchthemes/cancer/research_cancer/oncology/lcst

http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/research/researchthemes/cancer/research_cancer/oncology/

Contact details:

a.costa-pereira@imperial.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 8383 3793