Targeting CDH1 deficient cells using synthetic lethal drugs

Researcher profiles:

• Professor Parry Guilford
• Dr Augustine Chen
• Dr Nicola Bougen-Zhukov
• Dr Lyvianne Decourtye-Espiard
• Tanis Godwin
• Tom Brew (PhD candidate)

Unraveling tumour suppression

E-cadherin belongs to a class of proteins called tumour suppressors.  Tumour suppressors normal cells with brakes to protect against cells growing out of control and becoming cancers. Mutation of the gene that encodes E-cadherin (CDH1) is frequently seen in tumours. This leads to cancers with increased ability to survive and invade other tissues.

Finding vulnerabilities in tumour cells

We propose that the loss of E-cadherin creates vulnerabilities in the tumour cells that could be targeted with drugs. In this project we are systematically searching for proteins which, if inactivated, will not affect cells with normal levels of E-cadherin but will lead to the death of cancerous cells lacking E-cadherin. This is known as a synthetic lethal relationship.

Supporting research in Louis' memory

In 2017 Louis Fouchault was diagnosed with gastric cancer. Upon his death, Louis' friends and family raised funds which were donated to CTCR to further our work with synthetic lethal drugs which will one day benefit his nieces and nephews and all other CDH1 mutation carriers.

• Louis' Legacy

Related topics

• Inherited gastric cancer susceptibility
• CDH1 and HDGC: the key facts
• STAN: Doco

Past Students

• Bryony Telford (PhD research project)
• Henry Beetham (PhD research project)
• James Frick (master's research project)