Overview
In the Translational Lung Cancer Biology Laboratory, we have designed, implemented and characterised a genome engineering strategy whereby, using genetically modified HBCs, we intend to stablish a proof-of-principle for the use of HBECs to model LUSC.
To do this, we have generated increasingly complex mutant HBECs bearing inactivating mutations in the tumour suppressors TP53 and CDKN2A (which are ubiquitous alterations in LUSC) and combinations of alterations in components of the squamous differentiation, PI3K/Akt and oxidative stress response pathways, namely, SOX2 overexpression, PTEN truncation and KEAP1 truncation respectively.
With this strategy we intend to capture what are the essential components of LUSC development.
