Research

Our studies are focused on the revelation of WNT5A, a secreted glycoprotein. WNT5A belongs to the non-transforming class of WNTs, and upon binding to different receptors or co-receptor complexes (Frizzled, RYK, ROR1/2, LRP5/6 and CD146), it elicits non-canonical (β-catenin-independent) signaling. WNT5A act as both tumor promoter as well as tumor suppressor, depending on cell type. For example, in breast cancer loss of WNT5A protein is associated with poor survival. In contrast, WNT5A expression is associated with increased metastasis and reduced survival in melanoma patients.  Our laboratory focusses on how WNT5A expression is regulated in these cancers and deciphering the WNT5A signaling pathways governing cancer cell migration and invasion.

On therapeutic front, we have developed a hexapeptide, Foxy5 (an agonist of WNT5A) which is currently in Phase1 clinical trial for breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon carcinoma (NCT02020291). Another peptide, Box5 (a WNT5A derived antagonist) is currently in pre-clinical trials for malignant melanom.

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Staff

Tommy Andersson

Professor
Phone: +46 40 391167
E-mail: Tommy [dot] Andersson [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Tommy[dot]Andersson[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
Tommy is head of the research team "Experimental Pathology". The research is based on the use of WNT5A as an anti-metastatic target.

https://www.wntresearch.com

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Lena Axelsson

Research engineer
Phone: +46 40 391173
E-mail: lena [dot] axelsson [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Lena[dot]Axelsson[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
Lena works as a research engineer in the lab.

 

 

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Purusottam Mohapatra

Ph.D.
Phone: +46 40 391151
E-mail: purusottam [dot] mohapatra [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (purusottam[dot]mohapatra[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
Purusottams current research is to study the mechanisms of novel WNT5A derived antagonistic-peptides in pre-Clinical models of malignant melanoma. 

 

 

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Vidas Yadav

Post-doc
Vidas Yadav will investigate the importance of WNT5A signaling in tumor progression.

 

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Njainday Jobe Pulo

Ph.D. Post-doctoral fellow
Phone: +46 40391151
E-mail: njainday [dot] jobe [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (njainday[dot]jobe[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
Njainday’s research focuses on WNT5A, and its role in tumour cell progression and plasticity. In particular, the interchangeable modes of migration tumour cells utilise during invasion and the factors involved. 

 

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Zdenka Prgomet

Research Engineer
E-mail: Zdenka [dot] Prgomet [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Zdenka[dot]Prgomet[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
Zdenka is investigating the role of WNT5A signaling in Oral Squamous cell Carcinoma.