The Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ induce cell competition to eliminate liver tumors through autophagy

Despite progress in cancer therapies, there are still no effective therapies for several cancers, like liver cancers. Excitingly, my host laboratory recently made an astonishing discovery: using a mouse model for liver cancer, they discovered that genetic stimulation of regeneration by activating the transcriptional co-activator YAP in normal hepatocytes caused tumor cell death and dramatic tumor regression. Therefore, stimulating regeneration in normal cells around tumors initiated a healing process that not only replenished hepatocytes but also caused the elimination of tumor cells. These experiments thus identify a completely novel approach for cancer therapy that we call 'Regenerative Cancer Therapy'. In my project I propose investigate the molecular mechanisms that trigger tumor elimination and develop gene therapy vehicles to activate this anti-tumor process. Given the striking anti‐tumor effect of YAP‐activated hepatocytes, my projects have the potential to provide groundbreaking new insights into a completely novel strategy for cancer therapy.

Publication year:2020

Accessibility:Open