Research

QBCF Strategic Grants Program

Research Factsheet

PROFESSEUR WILLIAM J. MULLER*

McGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTRÉAL

PROJECT TITLE Role of the tumour suppressor PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin homolog deleted on chromosome Ten) in ErbB-2 induced mammary tumorigenesis.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Professor William J. Muller

INSTITIUTE: McGill University, Montréal

TOTAL RESEARCH BUDGET $60,500

NON-SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY:

Regulation of cancer cell growth involves activation of genes (oncogenes) that promote cell division and survival, and the inactivation of other genes (tumour suppressors) that negatively regulate these critical cellular processes. The major focus of this project is to evaluate the role of tumour suppressor known as PTEN in the induction of breast cancer. The first specific objective is to investigate whether activation of signalling molecules that are inhibited by PTEN will accelerate tumour progression. The second objective is to directly establish whether these PTEN coupled pathways are involved in conferring resistance to therapeutic antibodies. The results of these studies will have an important impact in understanding the molecular basis of this poorly understood and prevalent disease.

QBCF-CRS Joint Grant Program September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2010.

* The Cancer Research Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation are co-financing this project.