Current lab members:
- Gilles PAGÈS, Research Director, DR1 Inserm
- Roser Busca: CR HC CNRS
- Sonia Martial: CR HC CNRS
- Philippe Lenormand: CRCN INSERM
- Frédéric Luciano: CRCN INSERM
- Sandy Giuliano: CRCN INSERM
- Maeva Dufies: CRCN CNRS
- Cercina Onesto: MCU UCA
- Julien Parola: Tech
- Saharnaz Sarlak: Post Doc ARC
- Meng Tsai: Post Doc ANR JCJC
- Rima Salma: Post Doc ANR JCJC
- Maeva Totobesola: Engineer ARC
- Arthur Gouraud: Engineer Cancéropole
- Olivia Rastoin: Engineer Roca Therapeutics
- Manon Teisseire: PhD FRM
- Jessy Sirera: PhD UCA
- Arthur Karaulic: PhD UCA
- Christina Cayron: Master
- Audrey Bennetot: Master
Lab Alumni:
Our projects have focused on the ERK signaling pathway ; modulation of its activity, its role in tumor development (use of ERK1-/- mice) and its role in tumor angiogenesis (regulation of VEGF expression). We have highlighted regulators of VEGF expression that can serve as markers of tumor aggressiveness especially in the case of head and neck and breast cancers. We have established an original link between telomeric activity and the ERK signaling pathway. We are also interested in phenomena that could explain the varying efficiencies of Avastin/Bevacizumab (BVZ) depending on cancer origins. On models of breast and prostate cancers, the clinical efficiency of associations Taxol / BVZ could be explained by a direct effect on tumor cells expressing both VEGF and its receptor VEGF-R2. Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC) express VEGF and pro-angiogenic factors of the family of ELR+CXCL cytokines. CXCL7 and CXCL8 (interleukin 8) are associated with increased mortality in patients. Monoclonal antibodies targeting CXCL7 and 8 are currently developed. In xenograft models of RCC tumors, BVZ accelerates tumor growth and induces the development of the lymphatic network that can explain the acceleration of the metastatic spread observed in patients.
Background of the team and self analysis
The group was created in 1999 when we moved from the Centre de Biochimie Parc Valrose to the Nice Cancer Centre, Centre Antoine Lacassagne (CAL). Our objectives were to decipher the links between activation of the ERK pathway and abnormal angiogenesis, two mains actors implicated in tumor development. Our localization at the CAL incited us to develop translational research aiming at reinforced the links with clinicians. My team was implicated in the discovery of new pertinent direct targets of ERK and on the molecular links between ERKs and regulation of VEGF expression at transcriptional and post transcriptional levels. Discussions with clinicians and our expertise on angiogenesis have oriented our thematic on the failure of anti-angiogenic therapies. The identification of the phosphorylation of the telomere binding factor TRF2 by ERK has established a new link between telomeric activity and activation of a major signaling pathway involved in tumor development.
Current Projects
Top Publications
Lab News
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Fête de la Science 2024
IRCAN was once again present at the Village des Sciences de Nice on October 11, 12 and 13 to talk about our research with: – middle and high school students […]
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New Website!
Please enjoy our new website! We want to create a imersive hub for all news and events in the fields of cancer and ageing. if you see an error, please […]
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Gilles PAGES wins the 2023 Medical Research Prize awarded by the Fondation de France
Interview (in French) with Gilles PAGES, winner of the 2023 Fondation de France « senior researcher » prize for his project on adapting treatments for elderly kidney cancer patients, at the awards ceremony on 28 March.
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Article published in Nice Matin: the discovery of a mechanism essential to the production of proteins
Nice Matin published an article on the discovery of a mechanism essential to the production of proteins essential to life made by researchers from from Gilles Pagès team. Read the full […]
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IRCAN has a diverse research teams, tackling a wide range and resolution of topics in ageing and cancer.