Mark Nachtigal, PhD

MarkNachtigal
Institution: University of Manitoba
Category: Novel therapies to treat ovarian cancer

Mark Nachtigal, PhD
University of Manitoba

Autocrine bone morphogenic protein (BMP) inhibition: a novel therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer?

Protein growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily, which include bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), influence the growth, motility, and invasive potential of ovarian cancer cells. Blocking of these pathways may produce a more epithelial-like or “non-cancer-like” cell. These studies will test whether blocking BMP interactions in the cell will lead to reducing tumor burden in patients and shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying BMP pathways.