NCI Program Project in Esophageal Carcinogenesis

Project Overview

This Program Project grant entitled “Mechanisms of Esophageal Carcinogenesis” seeks to define and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying squamous cell carcinogenesis in the esophagus with eventual translation to new strategies in diagnosis and therapy. Based upon historical interactive collaborations between the Project Leaders and usage of the Scientific Core Facilities, this program project focuses upon hypothesis-driven research that is innovative. The experience and expertise of the Project Leaders, in concert with the platforms provided by the Core Facilities, will result in enhancement of the research that would not be possible if the projects were independent of each other.

Project One (Anil K. Rustgi, M.D. Project Leader) focuses upon the biological roles of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression in the early or precursor stages of esophageal carcinogenesis and their functional consequences.

Project Two (Meenhard Herlyn, D.V.M., Project Leader) emphasizes the interplay of epithelial-stromal interactions, especially the EGF and TGFbeta receptor systems, and their influence on esophageal carcinogenesis.

Project Three (J. Alan Diehl, Ph.D, Project Leader) focuses upon the functional roles of cyclin D1b and its regulation by Fbx4, and how this modulates esophageal carcinogenesis.

Four highly successful Core facilities are designed to provide esophageal cancer-specific services for the stimulation of collaborative research: Administrative, Biostatistics, Mophology and Molecular Biology/Gene Expression. This Program Project fosters interdisciplinary research that leads to a cooperative understanding of the molecular processes that form and regulate esophageal carcinogenesis. Finally, the Program Project is in concert with advancing the goals of the the NCI Progress Review Group for esophageal and stomach cancers.