Basic Science Researcher

Shanaz Dairkee, PhD

Introduction  |  Publications

Introduction

A major focus of my research in breast cancer is the development and application of translational cellular model systems for timely progress in the path to personalized modern medicine and disease prevention.

As we, and others have successfully applied the concept of molecular stratification to define breast cancer subtypes, it has become apparent that the management of this complex disease could be greatly improved by the use of clinically representative experimental models. We have generated a panel of 17 well-characterized immortalized primary breast cancer cell lines encompassing all histologic grades and clinical stages (including DCIS). Each of these highly translational cellular reagents is a one-of-a-kind surrogate system portraying the well-known breadth of breast cancer heterogeneity. Presently, these are the only low and intermediate grade cell lines reported for any cancer. Simultaneously, we have accrued cryopreserved live malignant and stromal cell fractions from over 300 primary breast tumors for the continued generation of novel functional tools originating from cancerous human tissue. These invaluable resources are available for collaborative ventures.

We are actively pursuing innovative studies on our panel of novel breast cancer cell lines towards an improved understanding of the basic biological underpinnings of histologic grade, a key clinical prognosticator. Significant functional endpoints associated with tumor aggressiveness have been revealed underlying the expression of genes such as S100P, and UCP2, among several others.

In parallel, we have focused our efforts on the application of human cellular tools as robust indicators of functional response to environmental chemicals implicated in breast carcinogenesis. In a novel test system developed by us, which is comprised of nonmalignant target cells derived from contralateral breast tissue of high risk, symptomatic individuals, several xenoestrogens ubiquitous in our environment are being evaluated. To date, our findings demonstrate close similarities in the molecular and functional profiles of high histologic grade breast cancer, and those induced by bisphenol A (BPA).

From over 300 news venues, the following are a few links where this study has been mentioned.

• Toronto Globe and Mail


• Consumer Affairs


• US News and World Report

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Publications

Publications by Shanaz Dairkee from PubMed.

Recent Publications

1. Sayeed A, Meng Z, Luciani G, Chen L, Bennington JL, Dairkee SH. Negative regulation of UCP2 by TGF beta signaling characterizes low and intermediate grade primary breast cancer. Cell Death and Disease, 1: e53, 2010
2. Dairkee SH, Sayeed A, Luciani G, Champion S, Meng Z, Jakkula LR, Feiler HS, Gray JW, Moore DH. Immutable functional attributes of histologic grade revealed by context independent gene expression in primary breast cancer cells. Cancer Research, 69: 7826-7834, 2009
3. Dairkee SH, Seok J, Champion S, Sayeed A, Mindrinos M, Xiao W, Davis RW, Goodson WH. Bisphenol A induces a profile of tumor aggressiveness in high-risk cells from breast cancer patients. Cancer Research (Priority Report) 2008 Apr 1; 68(7): 2076-80
4. Dairkee SH, Nicolau M, Sayeed A, Champion S, Ji Y, Moore DH, Yong B, Meng Z, Jeffrey SS. Oxidative stress pathways highlighted in tumor cell immortalization: association with breast cancer outcome. Oncogene. 2007 Sep 20; 26(43): 6269-79. Epub 2007 Apr 30
5. Chin K, DeVries S, Fridlyand J, Spellman PT, Roydasgupta R, Kuo WL, Lapuk A, Neve RM, Qian Z, Ryder T, Chen F, Feiler H, Tokuyasu T, Kingsley C, Dairkee S et al. Genomic and transcriptional aberrations linked to breast cancer pathophysiologies. Cancer Cell. 2006 Dec; 10(6): 529-41

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