Optimization of p65 and GFP Antibodies in Immunofluorescence to Study NFkB Signaling
Advisor(s)
Jonna Frasor, University of Illinois at Chicago
Emily Smart, University of Illinois at Chicago
Svetlana Semina, University of Illinois at Chicago
Start Date
26-4-2019 10:45 AM
End Date
26-4-2019 11:00 AM
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for women (Chang, 2012). There has been a decline in deaths due to preventative measures and better treatment, however, African American women experience worse prognosis, shorter
survival times, and higher mortality rates due to various reasons including genetic risk factors,
obesity, and others which are still unknown. The focus of the project is on Estrogen Receptor +
breast cancer as it is the most common. Treatments for ER+ BC include selective estrogen
receptor modulator, aromatase inhibitors, and selective estrogen receptor degrader. However,
50% of ER+ breast cancer develops endocrine resistance and these tumors are more aggressive and metastatic. A body of evidence shows that NFkB plays a crucial role in resistance and can drive tumorigenesis of breast cancer. This research aims to study ER and NFkB in breast cancer which has been shown to be important to understanding the underlying reasons for racial disparities in breast cancer. Thus, this research looks to optimize immunofluorescence staining of NFKB in ER+ breast cancer cells, in order to study ER/NFkB crosstalk and its effect on development of tamoxifen resistance and survival of tamoxifen-tolerant cells.
Optimization of p65 and GFP Antibodies in Immunofluorescence to Study NFkB Signaling
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for women (Chang, 2012). There has been a decline in deaths due to preventative measures and better treatment, however, African American women experience worse prognosis, shorter
survival times, and higher mortality rates due to various reasons including genetic risk factors,
obesity, and others which are still unknown. The focus of the project is on Estrogen Receptor +
breast cancer as it is the most common. Treatments for ER+ BC include selective estrogen
receptor modulator, aromatase inhibitors, and selective estrogen receptor degrader. However,
50% of ER+ breast cancer develops endocrine resistance and these tumors are more aggressive and metastatic. A body of evidence shows that NFkB plays a crucial role in resistance and can drive tumorigenesis of breast cancer. This research aims to study ER and NFkB in breast cancer which has been shown to be important to understanding the underlying reasons for racial disparities in breast cancer. Thus, this research looks to optimize immunofluorescence staining of NFKB in ER+ breast cancer cells, in order to study ER/NFkB crosstalk and its effect on development of tamoxifen resistance and survival of tamoxifen-tolerant cells.