National Institute of Cancer Research

Research Laboratories

The goal of the Cancer Research Laboratory of NHRI is to coordinate an integrated effort to conduct translational research on human cancer, particularly those that are prevalent in Taiwan, working toward the global goal of conquering the cancer. Currently, the research interests of this laboratory include studies on various aspects of cancer-related issues: cytogenetics, molecular genetics, molecular pharmacology and toxicology, mechanisms of cancer cell multi-drug resistance, cellular molecular immunology, cancer immunology, biological response modifiers, and molecular biology. Equipments and core facilities were designed for laboratory work in tissue culture and human blood cells, which include a GLP clinical gene therapy unit.

The Research Trials include:

  1. Study on the mechanism of modulation of DNA repair enzyme, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, in human cancer cells
  2. A study of the mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance in a human gastric carcinoma cell line
  3. Mobilization of Bone Marrow Stem Cells and Cancer Cells by Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Cancer Therapy
  4. The Role of mTOR Inhibition in Cancer Therapy
  5. The Effects of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein to the Bone-Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) and MSC Trans-differentiated Hepatocytes
  6. Study on the interactions among tumor metastasis-related proteins and its application in cancer therapy
  7. Molecular dissection of ENO1-induced immunosuppression in cancer patients
  8. Isolate Active Ingredients Targeting Cancer Stem Cells from CDA-2–A Novel Multimolecular Targeting AntiCancer Agent and Study the Underlying Mechanisms
  9. Study of AXL promoter and a possible negative feedback auto-regulation mechanism
  10. Mechanisms for Macrophage-Induced Tumor Cell Spreading and Drug Resistance
  11. Studies of factors affecting sensitivity to chemotherapeutic nucleoside analogs
  12. The role of Cdc25 protein phosphatases in the G2 checkpoint activated by protein-damaging stress
  13. A genomic screen for hypermethylation genes and their functional roles in human metastasis cancers
  14. Role of Cited2, a novel transcriptional co-activator, in lung cancer progression
  15. Effects of Reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Infection on the Genomic Instability in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
  16. Development of Microarray Collaborative Lab and Study on the Normalization and Analysis of Microarray-based CGH Data
  17. Study the modulation of TIEG1 in cellular apoptosis
  18. Study of human PREPL and KLK13 serine protease genes in cancer development and malignancy
  19. KSHV Reactivation in KS Pathogenesis
  20. Development of Molecular Targeted Therapy for Advanced Gastric Cancers -- emphasis on the studies of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, VEGF/VEGFR angiogenesis pathway, and EGFR/MAPK pathway
  21. Study on the Modulation of Nrf2/ARE Pathway in Chemoprevention, Cancer Development and Chemoresistance
  22. Mechanisms Study of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl’s Signaling Pathways in MMPs Secretion and Tumor Invasion)
  23. Program project on tumor metastasis-Cross-class interaction between cathepsin cysteine proteases and metastasis-suppressing SERPINB serine protease inhibitors
  24. Role of imbalance between metastasis-related proteases and protease inhibitor in lung cancer development and malignancy
  25. National Cinical Trial Research Network

II. Future Direction:

The Cancer Cooperative Laboratoriy will coordinate to conduct research in cancer related molecular and cellular genetics, molecular pharmacology, immunotherapy and immunoregulation, and gene therapy.

Immediate short term goal:
to make an individual and team effort to conduct basic and clinical research aiming at clinical application.
Intermediate mid-range goal:
to coordinate a group effort to conduct innovative clinical trials.
Ultimate long term goal:
to collectively work toward the global goal of curing the cancer.