): The cell lineages in neoplastic tissues are evolving under the twin dynamics of mutation and clonal expansion. This is the basis for both its virulence and our difficulties in treating it. We hypothesize that a subset of the mutations observed in the progression to cancer confer beneficial selective effects on the cell. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the interactions between these clonal populations in and around the neoplastic tissue determine the progression to cancer.
The aim of this project is to identify these selective mutations and to infer the interactions between the mutant clones in Barrett's Esophagus that eventually lead to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. This analysis will be based on loss of heterozygosity data, promoter methylation, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and gene expression data for homogeneous subpopulations of cells sampled from neoplastic tissue in patients with Barrett's Esophagus. The tissue samples come from biopsies of selected patients in the Seattle Barrett's Esophagus Project (N=285). Data mining will be used to identify mutations that are associated with clonal expansion as well as inhibition of neighboring clones. The order of genetic events in the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma will be determined by phylogenetic reconstruction of the cell lineages in the neoplastic tissue of each patient. Machine learning techniques, such as the EM algorithm, will be employed to infer missing data and the effects of unsampled mutations. Computational modeling will be used to generate comparison data for null hypotheses as well as to generate experimental predictions from our understanding of the progression to cancer. This is the first step in my long-term career goal to contribute to medicine through the use of computational and theoretical methods. Working at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will facilitate the transition from my background in computer science and evolutionary theory, to an independent research program based on the analysis of cellular and molecular dynamics of cancer. The challenge of this project is the integration of diverse molecular and epidemiological data into a coherent and detailed understanding of the progression to cancer in the neoplasm of a model system.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01CA089267-04
Application #
6751681
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Eckstein, David J
Project Start
2001-04-01
Project End
2005-03-31
Budget Start
2004-04-15
Budget End
2005-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$126,767
Indirect Cost
Name
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
078200995
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98109
Pepper, John W; Sprouffske, Kathleen; Maley, Carlo C (2007) Animal cell differentiation patterns suppress somatic evolution. PLoS Comput Biol 3:e250
Maley, Carlo C (2007) Multistage carcinogenesis in Barrett's esophagus. Cancer Lett 245:22-32
Chao, Dennis L; Maley, Carlo C; Wu, Xifeng et al. (2006) Mutagen sensitivity and neoplastic progression in patients with Barrett's esophagus: a prospective analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 15:1935-40
Lyubchenko, Yuri L; Sherman, Simon; Shlyakhtenko, Luda S et al. (2006) Nanoimaging for protein misfolding and related diseases. J Cell Biochem 99:52-70
Maley, Carlo C; Rustgi, Anil K (2006) Barrett's esophagus and its progression to adenocarcinoma. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 4:367-74
Maley, Carlo C; Galipeau, Patricia C; Finley, Jennifer C et al. (2006) Genetic clonal diversity predicts progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Nat Genet 38:468-73
Maley, Carlo C; Reid, Brian J (2005) Natural selection in neoplastic progression of Barrett's esophagus. Semin Cancer Biol 15:474-83
Maley, Carlo C; Galipeau, Patricia C; Li, Xiaohong et al. (2004) The combination of genetic instability and clonal expansion predicts progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 64:7629-33
Maley, Carlo C; Galipeau, Patricia C; Li, Xiaohong et al. (2004) Selectively advantageous mutations and hitchhikers in neoplasms: p16 lesions are selected in Barrett's esophagus. Cancer Res 64:3414-27
Maley, Carlo C; Reid, Brian J; Forrest, Stephanie (2004) Cancer prevention strategies that address the evolutionary dynamics of neoplastic cells: simulating benign cell boosters and selection for chemosensitivity. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 13:1375-84

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications