Neutrophils are the most abundant cells in our immune system. They’re found in the blood, and can be recruited to tumors to help cancer grow. Their migration is governed in part by the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC), which links those incoming recruitment signals with the actin network that physically controls cell movement. Dr. Graziano has developed several new tools to manipulate WRC signaling and study its activation including how it activates downstream pathways and influences cancer-related activity. He’s discovered an unexpected feedback mechanism and is continuing to expand our understanding of tumor-neutrophil interactions to guide immunotherapy approaches that could minimize their pro-cancer behavior and improve patient survival.
Improved understanding of neutrophil-environment cross-talk should lead to the development of new treatments that drive neutrophils to kill tumor cells rather than assist in their growth and metastasis.
Projects and Grants
Using optogenetics to probe the in vivo biochemistry of cell movement
University of California, San Francisco | All Cancers | 2014 | Orion Weiner, Ph.D.
Let's spread the word about Immunotherapy! Click to share this page with your community.