Prostate Cancer Research

Lucia Languino, PhD

Dr. Languino is interested in the biochemistry and the cell biology of cell surface adhesion receptors and their participation in phenotypic changes of tumor cells with a particular emphasis in prostate cancer.  A strong research focus is being devoted to the understanding of the cross talk between cell adhesion molecules, the tumor cell cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix proteins and how these interactions participate in broad and pleiotropic cascades of intracellular signal transduction affecting cell survival, cell migration, checkpoint control mechanisms and cell division.

Dr. Languino's research interest also focuses on the cellular and molecular characterization of the metastatic process of prostate cancer with particular emphasis on the signals directing distant localization to the bone and growth of prostate cancer cells in a bone environment.

imageCurrent Research Projects in the Languino Laboratory

National Institutes of Health - National Cancer Institute

  • R01 CA89720:  Integrin Signaling Pathways in Prostate Cancer
    The major goals of this project are to characterize the downstream pathways, involving FAK, PI 3-kinase and Src, activated by  v 3 binding to vitronectin or osteopontin; and to study the role of  v 3 in mediating FAK/PI 3-kinase or FAK/Src association and in modulating migration of LNCaP, PC3 and primary prostate cancer cells.
  • R01 CA109874:   B1 Integrins and IGF-I Receptor in Prostate Cancer
    The major goals of this project are to dissect in vitro the role of the  1A - IGF-IR complex in modulating prostate cancer cell functions; to identify the localization of the  1A - IGF-IR complex and characterize the signaling pathways downstream of the  1A - IGF-IR complex; and to dissect in vivo the role of the  1A - IGF-IR complex in prostate cancer progression.
  • imageP01 CA82834:  Nuclear Structure and Gene Expression
         Project 4:  Organization of Runx2 Nuclear Complexes in Breast Cancer

         To understand the mechanisms by which Runx2 functions in bone cancer growth.

U.S. Army DAMD

  • PC040221:   In vitro and In Vivo Modulation of Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation by Integrins and IGF1 Receptor

    The major goals of this project are to dissect in vitro and in vivo the structural requirements for the inhibitory activity of  1C on IGF-IR activation; to study the correlation of IGF-IR and  1 integrin expression in prostate cancer tissues; and to analyze the effect of radiation on the synergistic activity of IGF-IR and integrins.