Project: Studies of the influence of environmental pollutants prevalent in the region on the development of tumors.
Linked Target: To evaluate in cellular and animal models the effect of exposure to the main environmental pollutants prevalent in the region on processes associated with tumor development.
General description: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. In 2018, a cancer incidence rate of 212 cases per 100.000 inhabitants was estimated in Argentina. This places the country within a range of countries with a medium-high cancer incidence. Cancer comprises a group of diseases that are mainly characterized by failures in the mechanisms involved in cell proliferation and turnover. These failures can cause an alteration in cell growth and, ultimately, trigger tumor development. Pollutants can be present in the environment from both a natural and anthropogenic origin. There are many short and long-term effects that environmental pollution can have on people's health. Indeed, urban air pollution increases the risk of acute respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, and chronic diseases, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The possible relationship between involuntary exposure to some contaminants present in the environment and the development of cancer has been investigated for years, since environmental exposures can alter or interfere with a wide variety of biological processes, including production and function. hormones, inflammation, DNA damage, and suppression or overexpression of genes. The members of the Molecular Immuno-Oncology group of the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR) have a trajectory of years of cancer research, dedicated to the study of the cellular and molecular processes associated with the development of this pathology. The different approaches used have allowed us to gain experience in the development of cellular and animal models of the development of different types of tumors, including breast, prostate, colorectal, melanoma and lymphoma cancer. To evaluate a possible relationship between exposure to the main pollutants in the region and the development of tumors, it is proposed to carry out in vitro studies with cell lines of different types of tumors that allow evaluating the effect that they may have on cell growth, the ability to modulate events associated with the development of metastases, and the alteration of responses to treatments. Similarly, in murine models of tumor development, it is proposed to evaluate the effect of these agents on tumor growth, the progression towards malignancy and the modulation of the antitumor immune response.
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Director: Mauricio Menacho Marquez
Members: Javier Girardini; Luciano Anselmino; Aylen Avila; Gustavo Chapo.
Spaces/Institutions/Academic Units: Faculty of Medical Sciences (UNR)
Contact
mmenacho@conicet.gov.ar