Getting a Handle on Non-Canonical Polycomb Repressor Complex 1 (nc-PRC1) Dysfunction in Oncogenesis.

Professor Maureen O’Sullivan, Consultant paediatric pathologist, Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin & Professor at Trinity College Dublin.

Over the last 40 years there has been little improvement in patient outcomes for cancers of connective tissue origin, known as sarcomas, which include bone, soft tissue and some organ-based cancers. Sarcomas are rare cancers. They make up a large proportion of the cancers that affect children. One such cancer, clear cell sarcoma of kidney (CCSK), is the focus of this research. At an international level, we are a leading group investigating CCSK.

The vast bulk of research into cancer over recent decades has investigated changes to the genetic blueprint (DNA mutations) that make the cancer cells what they are. Prof O’Sullivan’s group has made some significant discoveries about CCSK and will continue this work through this proposal. During this project, the group will engineer cell model systems that will allow the group to understand how the main genetic mutation in CCSK has its effect. Prof O’Sullivan, an expert in her field, will also work with a very strong team of international collaborators as they progress this work.

The ultimate goal of this research is to greatly deepen our understanding of how this particular genetic mutation can lead to CCSK developing, which will in turn lead to better treatments. An exciting aspect of this project is that this mutation we they studying in CCSK also drives several other uncommon cancers and therefore everything we learn about CCSK in this project will be beneficial to those patients also.

You can hear more about this research at this link Launch of the Sucessful HRB HRCI Joint funding Scheme Grants December 2020