Dr Johan Vande Voorde - Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer

Introduction

Johan Vande Voorde

Cancer is a multifactorial disease with widespread effects on patients’ health. Cancer cells undergo metabolic rewiring to sustain continued proliferation and to survive in hostile environments. This includes alterations in the uptake and utilization of nutrients and metabolites. As such, the tumour microenvironment is important for metabolite supply to cancer cells and the presence of a tumour affects the normal function of its host organ. In addition, cancer is associated with systemic metabolic changes that can dramatically impact quality of life for patients and their fitness to undergo treatments. Research in our laboratory focuses on metabolic crosstalk between the host and tumours, ultimately aiming to develop new, more efficient therapies.

Our current areas of focus are:

Metabolic implications of the gut microbiome in cancer

Gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with various malignancies and this has implications for cancer onset, progression and therapy sensitivity. We study metabolic interactions between microbiota and host cells using preclinical cancer models and patient samples. Because of its unique association with the gut microbiome, we have a particular interest in colorectal cancer.

Metabolic determinants of cancer-associated cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a wasting syndrome defined by ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass, with or without loss of fat mass, which cannot be restored by conventional nutritional support. At present, there is no cure and the underlying mechanisms of this debilitating condition are poorly understood. We use advanced preclinical models to study cachexia and identify underlying metabolic mechanisms.