IL-22/CSA PROJECT
Funding provided by Cancer Research Institute, 2015-present
We are interested in how the immune system interacts with skin cancers. We have defined the microenvironment associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with respect to genetic fingerprint and resident inflammatory cells including myeloid dendritic cells, Langerhans’ cells, regulatory T cells, Langerhans’ cells, and macrophages. We have also been active in defining the role of interleukin-22 (IL-22) producing cells in human skin. IL-22 is a cytokine important for keratinocyte proliferation, which is produced by T cells. We showed that IL-22 is present in the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) microenvironment and that IL-22 supports SCC growth and invasion. We recently showed that IL-22 blockade decreased tumor burden in a murine model. We hope to build on this finding to identify practical regulatory targets within the IL-22 pathway.
MAGE-A3 PROJECT
Funding provided by GSK's Stiefel, 2014-present
In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline
We have recently developed the ability to study gene expression from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks. This enables us to correlate gene expression with clinical course. We have identified cancer testis antigen MAGE-A3 as a potential biomarker for aggressive SCC as well as a potential therapeutic target.
MMP PROJECT
Funding provided by NYU School of Medicine's Orbuch-Brand Pilot Grant Program for Cancers of the Skin, 2015-2016
More information coming soon.
WOUND-HEALING PROJECT
In Collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Diane Felsen
Given Dr. Carucci's leadership role as the Director of Moh's Micrographic Surgery at NYULMC's Department of Dermatology, post-surgical wound-healing in micro-environment of the skin has been an ongoing interest of the Carucci Lab. Though the clinical course of wound-healing is markedly different, it shares some similarities with cancer biology which is why our interest has evolved into successful bench-side investigations, exploring the mechanisms underlying wound-healing in human skin, in collaboration with Dr. Diane Felsen's laboratory, Weill Cornell Medical College. This collaboration has led to several publications with most recent findings being identification of cofilin and SHIP2 as targets to control wound-healing.
VAMS PROJECT
Funding provided by the NIH, R01 2014-2017
In collaboration with Rockefeller University, Dr. Daniel Gareau
Our team drives the development and application of technology to facilitate rapid diagnosis and surgical treatment of skin cancer. We have begun development of optimized line scanning technology for confocal microscopy. This may ultimately enable us to develop the means to define margin status within 1 to 3 minutes of excision of skin cancer. A collaboration with Dr. Daniel Gareau, Biomedical Engineer, has solidified our team's eagerness in the development of this cutting-edge technology.