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About

Recent Discoveries

Our laboratory have established an in vitro primary human skeletal muscle cancer cachexia model. In addition, in collaboration with Artelo Biosciences (Nasdaq:ARTL), we have identified the cannabinoid 2 receptor as an anti-cachexia target, and have demonstrated the efficacy of the drug ART27.13 in Cancer Cachexia. That research article, entitled “Cancer-Cachexia-Induced Human Skeletal Muscle Myotube Degeneration is Prevented via Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonism in Vitro,” (https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/11/1580/pdf) is published in the journal Pharmaceuticals. [Friday 10th November 2023].

Research Interests

1. Cancer Cachexia

Our laboratory have established an in vitro primary human skeletal muscle cancer cachexia model. This model is being used to (i) identify anti-cachexia targets, (ii) test anti-cancer cachexia drug efficacy and (iii) identify protagonists causing cachexia. See our recent publication: “Cancer-Cachexia-Induced Human Skeletal Muscle Myotube Degeneration is Prevented via Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonism in Vitro,” (https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/11/1580/pdf) is published in the journal Pharmaceuticals. [Friday 10th November 2023].

2. Cancer Metabolism

(i) We currently have a project researching the molecular basis of metastasis, and links with dysregulated metabolism, in Triple Negative Breast Cancers.

(ii) Our recent Marie Curie funded research  demonstrated a role for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in anoikis resistance (an index of metastases) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9050791/pdf/12032_2022_Article_1664.pdf) and bioenergetic reprogramming on these cancer cells (https://doi.org/10.26124/bec:2022-0011). The work indicates that anti-IL6 receptor antibodies may be efficacious in stopping the spread of oral cancer.