Merck Serono Chair in Oncology

The Chaire Merck Serono en oncologie, led by the Hanahan Lab, focuses on investigating tumor development and progression using genetically engineered mouse models of cancer. Their research aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying multi-step tumorigenesis and malignant progression, with a strategic goal to develop new therapeutic strategies for improving the treatment of human cancers. The lab's current research areas include melanoma, glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, and squamous carcinomas elicited by human papillomaviruses. They study acquired capabilities of cancer cells, such as resistance to programmed cell death, tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis, with a particular emphasis on the role of the tumor microenvironment and accessory cells in promoting malignant disease. Additionally, the lab investigates adaptive resistance mechanisms to therapies targeting hallmark capabilities, offering insights into potential combinatorial therapies to overcome drug resistance.