About Us
Cervical cancer and Breast cancer are the most common malignancies and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Our department focusses on early detection of these cancers so that patients can be referred for prompt treatment before progression to high grade cancer. Our studies revealed that, overexpression of HPV E6/E7 oncogene transcripts in women with minor/low grade cytological abnormalities are sensitive biomarkers for early detection of cervical cancer risk. We are also investigating the expression of microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers to predict the early onset of breast cancer and metastasis. Evidence indicates that, miRNAs regulate the molecular pathways of cancer by targeting oncogenes and tumor suppressors in tumorigenesis, cancer maintenance and progression. We have identified some significantly expressed microRNAs and found their association with cancer related pathways- Wnt, p53, PI3-Akt, Hippo and VEGF pathways and key genes- beta catenin, GSK3b, PTEN, YAP1, EGFR, CCNB1.
Another important aspect which we are exploring is the role of gut microbiota in breast cancer development. Studies indicate that, dysbiosis of human gut microbiota and alterations in abundance of various bacterial species are important factors for the development of all cancers, including breast cancer. Recent evidence suggests that, it may directly and/or indirectly lead to pathogenesis of breast cancer through it’s influence on diverse biological processes like host cell proliferation, immune function, hormonal, oncogenic and detoxification pathways. Our studies are aimed at characterizing the gut microbiome composition in breast cancer and determining the impact of chemotherapy/hormonal therapy/radiation on the modulation of gut microbiota in breast cancer and their impact on immune response to therapy.
