Presented by Dr Michael Elkin, Tumor Biology Unit, Sharett Oncology Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Abstract

The inflammatory microenvironment is widely recognized as an important contributor to tumor progression at multiple anatomic sites, including the pancreas. Thus, identification of new effectors responsible for tumor-related inflammation, and elucidation of their mode of action, is of high importance. Heparanase (the only known mammalian endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate, the main polysaccharide of the extracellular matrix) has been previously implicated in progression of pancreatic carcinoma and other tumor types. Our recent results reveal a previously unknown role of heparanase in conferring tumor-infiltrating immunocytes pro-cancerous phenotype, and coupling inflammation and pancreatic tumorigenesis (a prototype of aseptic inflammation-associated cancer). 

Recognition of multilevel control that heparanase enzyme provides to heterotypic interactions between malignant and immune cells is expected to accelerate development of novel therapeutic/chemopreventive interventions and help to better define target patient populations in which heparanase-targeting therapies could be particularly beneficial.

Biography

Michael Elkin, Tumor Biology Unit, Sharett Oncology Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

2000     Ph.D. Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 
2002    Postdoc, NIDCR, NIH, Bethesda MD. 
2006    Lecturer in Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
2008-    Senior lecturer in Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 
 
The main focus of our research group is tumor-host interactions. It becomes increasingly clear that in addition to alterations in genes regulating cell proliferation, tumor development is profoundly affected by host environment, including several pathophysiological conditions, i.e., chronic inflammation, infections, presence of commensal flora, diabetes and obesity. Above-mentioned conditions actively shape clinical/biologic behavior of the tumors and their response to therapy.  Detailed understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon is necessary for development of effective anticancer therapies, targeting pathological interplay between malignant tumors and their microenvironment. Our main research topics include: a) Tumor-associated macrophages and their mode of action in malignancy; b) Obesity-diabetes-cancer link; c) Complex role of heparanase enzyme (critical determinant of tumor-host interactions) in cancer progression and inflammatory disorders.