mTOR orchestrates stress-induced mutagenesis facilitating adaptive evolution in human cancers

The Young Scientist Forum (YSF) of CanCell and the Institute of Cancer Research Seminar Series have the pleasure to announce a scientific talk by Professor David Thomas on Wednesday 15th May at 12 noon in the auditorium of the Institute for Cancer Research.

Professor David Thomas is the Director of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre and a Lab Head at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia. He is also newly appointed CEO of Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre.

Title:

mTOR orchestrates stress-induced mutagenesis facilitating adaptive evolution in human cancer

Abstract:

In micro-organisms, evolutionarily conserved mechanisms facilitate adaptation to harsh conditions via stress-induced mutagenesis (SIM). Analogous mechanisms may underpin progression and therapeutic failure in human cancer. Here, we describe SIM in multiple cancer types under non-genotoxic drug selection, paradoxically enhancing adaptation at a competing intrinsic fitness cost. A genome-wide approach identified MTOR as a stress-sensing rheostat mediating SIM across multiple cancer types and conditions. These observations are consistent with a 2-phase model for drug resistance, in which an initially rapid expansion of genetic diversity is counterbalanced by an intrinsic fitness penalty, subsequently normalizing to complete adaptation under the new conditions. This model suggests synthetic lethal strategies to minimize resistance to anticancer therapy.

Organizer

CanCell Young Scientist Forum (Heid Namløs, Viola Lobert and Aram Andersen)
Published May 13, 2019 12:42 PM - Last modified May 13, 2019 1:09 PM