Molecular mechanisms of physiological and pharmacological control of inflammation and cancer

Modulation of immune response and cell death represents a key strategy in the therapy of cancer and inflammatory disorders, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The main goal in the attempt to design therapeutics for prevention and treatment of these disorders is to further delineate molecular mechanisms of their pathogenesis. Our research will be focused on the role and mode of action of biologically active microenvironment molecules and genetic factors in regulation of proliferation, differentiation, function, and cell death of immune and target tissue cells, in physiological and pathological conditions. We will explore basic control mechanisms of immune response to (auto)antigens in inflammatory disorders and the role of relevant intercellular mediators and intracellular signaling pathways therein, as well as in cancer. Having in mind that cancer progression and inflammation employ same signaling pathways, anticancer properties of antiinflamatory drugs will be investigated. Also, development and overcoming of immuno- and chemo-resistance of tumor cells will be studied. Finally, we will examine cytotoxic, cytoprotective and immunomodulatory potential of various pharmacological agents or natural products in inflammatory disorders and cancer. Our research will be performed by in vivo and in vitro approaches using animal models of human diseases in inbred and/or genetically modified murine strains, and primary or transformed cell populations of various origins.