Cancer Research Cluster

The major focus of the Anderson lab is studying the role of the metastasis suppressor protein CREB3L1 in breast cancer progression. This transcription factor is frequency lost in advanced breast cancers, particularly of the triple negative subtype, and contributes to their metastatic properties. Dr. Anderson’s team is also working to understand how the regulation of the tumor suppressor protein, PTEN, a lipid phosphatase that counteracts cell survival and proliferative signals generated by PI3K, contributes to cancer. The PI3K/PTEN pathway is an important pathway frequently overactive in cancer cells.