The Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis and Anticarcinogenesis (MCA) Unit conducts research focusing on biological, biochemical and molecular aspects of multisteps carcinogenesis, on evaluation of hazard from environmental pollutants and on identification and characterisation of promising chemopreventive agents able to reduce or even inhibit cell transformation.

The main research strategies are:

1. development and use of in vitro models
   • to assess carcinogenicity of chemicals and mixtures
   • to clarify the role played by chemicals throughout the entire process of multistep carcinogenesis
   • to elucidate the role of metabolism in the chemically induced cell transformation
   • to verify metastatic potential of transformed cells by evaluating cell migratory properties, invasive behaviour, expression of adhesion molecules
   • to recognise specific molecular targets of carcinogens and related cell damage
   • to evaluate the role of cell-to-cell communication both in carcinogenesis and anticarcinogenesis mechanisms
   • to identify and characterise promising chemopreventive agents and establish their role in the multistep tumour process

2. assessment of the carcinogenic risk associated to human exposure

3. development of in vitro useful models for studying cell behaviour

 

Projects

	In vitro endpoints to profile risks and benefits associated to endocrine active compounds (EDEN - Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment Network)
	Identification of biomarkers in the professional exposure to ionizing radiations ( MARINER Project)
	Characterization of in vitro models to study the activity of innovative chemoterapeutics agents
	Toxicological activity profile and potential carcinogenicity of complex environmental mixtures
	Molecular damages and gene expression in chemically transformed cells
	In vitro models to study carcinogenesis and anticarcinogenesis
	Diet and tumour chemoprevention
	Evaluation of risk associated to cytotoxic activity and potential carcinogenicity of biotoxins from marine sources
	Effect of hormone antagonists combinations on BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation
	Role of chemopreventive agents in tumour progression
	Mechanistic aspects in the activity of chemopreventive agents
	Evaluation of GAP-junctions-communications in cell transformation