- The Research projects ongoing in Dr. Dréau’s laboratory focus on understanding the molecular, cellular, and physiological bases of metastases associated with cancers of epithelial origin.
- The cancers of epithelial origin include: the most lethal skin cancer, i.e. melanoma and the most common solid tumor in female i.e., breast cancer. In these cancers as in others, the occurrence of metastases is associated with a high mortality (see the site of the American Cancer Society for details on cancer statistics in the US: http://www.cancer.org)
- The development of metastases is a multi-step process, which, from the tumor standpoint, includes:
- Development of tumor cells with metastatic potentials.
- Detachment, migration of tumor cells generally through the vascular system (blood, lymph vessels), and anchoring within the host tissue.
- Growth of the metastatic mass requiring the concurrent development of vessels, i.e. neo-angiogenesis, which provide oxygen and various nutriments.
- Preventing responses of the immune system throughout all the steps associated with the development of tumor metastases.
Dr. Dréau’s research centers on the mechanisms of cancer metastasis, and the vascular and immune interactions associated with cancer growth. More specifically, the following aspects of cancer metastasis are studied:
- Key features of Metastatic Tumors
- Anchoring and Growth of Metastatic Tumors
- Vascularization of the Metastatic Tumors
- Interactions Immune System and Metastases