RESEARCH PROGRAM 1

miR-151a’s role in the lung cancer niche

We have previously established that miRs can serve as a novel link between inflammation and tumorigenesis. This work has resulted in a clinical trial testing an anti-miR-155 regimen for patients with hematological disorders. In parallel, we performed studies to evaluate miRs role as it relates to cell-cell contact and hallmarks of tumorigenesis including metastasis and angiogenesis. To this end we have demonstrated that miR-151a function as an onco-miR and that expression is significantly increased in lung cancer specimens relative to normal lung. miR-151a promotes tumor cell growth, partial EMT and tumor-associated angiogenesis. As a logical next step, we have initiated the characterization of genetic and non-genetic heterogeneity of miR-151a in the lung cancer niche (tumor-microenvironment interactions), by taking an scRNA-seq approach.

miR-151a’s role in lung cancer

miR-151a enhances angiogenesis

miR-151a heterogeneity in the lung cancer niche