Mechanisms of progression to invasive lung cancer: a systems biology approach (360G-Wellcome-211161_Z_18_Z)

Lung cancer remains the leading cancer-related cause of death in the UK. Early detection and treatment are critical to improving outcomes. Our lab has collected a unique set of lung tissue samples from patients with pre-cancerous disease, some of whom have gone on to develop cancer. By studying the genetic and molecular profiles of these samples we aim to elucidate the mechanisms of progression from pre-cancerous disease to invasive cancer. By doing so we can identify future methods of treatment and prevention. My work focuses on analysis of vast quantities of data produced by this program. We have recently studied the genetics of these samples, including which genes are expressed, which are mutated, and how they are regulated. From these complex networks we identify key signals of instability in the genome, which we believe are driving progression to cancer. These data provide a snapshot of early cancer. The first aim of this project is to investigate the dynamics of this process using longitudinally collected samples, and new techniques which can probe these samples on a single-cell level. The second aim is to study the immunological mechanisms by which some pre-invasive lesions regress and do not become invasive cancer.