Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada. This aggressive disease is characterized by minimal early-onset symptoms, late detection, and dismal survival rates. One of the reasons that pancreatic cancer is so lethal is its ability to rapidly invade nearby tissues and spread to distant organs. But how do pancreatic cancer cells invade? Many do so through the creation of finger-like projections that help cells move into surrounding areas. These cellular structures can release/secrete small molecules that degrade barriers around the cell and clear a path for invasion. This points to a grave need to identify molecules that are crucial to this invasive process, as creating drugs that block these molecules could be a potential treatment option for pancreatic cancer. My research will focus on the potential role of a molecule called RET in this invasive process. In normal tissues, RET is a cell surface molecule that relays messages (signals) into cells that tell them to grow, divide, or move. RET is crucial for the normal development of the nervous system and kidneys; however, an unusual presence of RET in pancreatic tissue is associated with aggressive pancreatic cancer. My research will (1) use pancreatic cancer cells to determine if and how an abnormal presence of RET leads to cancer cell movement as well as (2) identify other key molecules required for this process. To do this, I will explore whether blocking or reducing these signals impedes the formation of invasive projections and halts cancer cell invasion. Ultimately, my work will provide a deeper understanding of how cells create invasive projections, and potentially reveal new molecules that could be targeted to slow this process and prevent pancreatic cancer spread.