The goal of our laboratory is to develop new therapies to control the immune response within tumors in order to improve the clearance of cancer cells by the immune system. Cellular metabolism is complex and fascinating. Alterations in the metabolic pathways that drive cancer cell proliferation, function and survival can have a profound impact on the signals they generate and their interaction with the tumor microenvironment. Cellular metabolism is malleable: cancer cells can reorganize it and adapt to hostile environments. Thus, cellular metabolism becomes a therapeutic target of interest, especially when cancer cells become dependent on certain metabolic configurations.
Our laboratory is interested in the mechanisms that modulate the expression of various molecules involved in the tumor immune response, be it cytokines that allow the recruitment of leukocytes, immunosuppressive molecules, or molecules that allow the presentation of antigens to lymphocytes responsible for tumor elimination. We have discovered a variety of proteins involved in cell metabolism that control the expression of these various immune molecules. By targeting these metabolic proteins, it becomes possible to ignite the flame in tumors and enhance the activities of the immune system. This metabolic strategy makes sense for cancers that are refractory to treatments such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy, and we hope that our findings will increase the life expectancy of patients who have no treatment options left.
Because metabolism is ubiquitous in the body, our research has implications in areas beyond oncology such as the treatment of chronic diseases and aging.
CURRENT GRAVEL LAB PROJECTS:
Regulation and role of the PGC-1/IRF-1 axis in melanoma and skin aging
Funded by the Cancer Research Society (CRS, 2021-2023; CRS, 2023-2025)
Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC, 2023-2028)
Metabolic and immune effects of azapeptides in the ischemic heart (with Sylvie Marleau, Huy Ong, André Carpentier)
Funded by CIHR (2021-2026)
Lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic mRNA and DNA and treatment of chronic liver disease (with Davide Brambilla)
Funded by Faculty of pharmacie - Fonds Servier (2021-2023)
Funded by CIHR (2023-2027)
Funded by NSERC Catalyst Alliance (2023-2024)
Funded by the Phospholipid Research Center (PRC, 2022-2026)