Anna-Maria Lazaratos
RESEARCH PROJECT
Deciphering the Role of Glycoprotein-NMB (GPNMB) on the Immune Landscape of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that lacks targeted therapies and frequently exhibits poor responses to immune checkpoint blockade. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in shaping therapeutic outcomes. My project aims to investigate the role of Glycoprotein-NMB (GPNMB), a transmembrane protein highly expressed in TNBC, in modulating the tumor immune landscape. Using multiplex immunohistofluorescence, spatial analyses, and functional assays, I aim to determine whether GPNMB expression correlates with decreased infiltration or impaired function of cytotoxic T cells, and whether it contributes to mechanisms of immune evasion. By dissecting the immunomodulatory functions of GPNMB, this work may uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities and guide the development of strategies to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in TNBC.
BACKGROUND
I obtained my Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Immunology from McGill University. I am currently an MD-PhD student in the Siegel Lab focusing on elucidating how immune interactions within the tumor microenvironment drive cancer progression and impact therapeutic response in breast cancer. Through this project, I aim to contribute to the development of more effective and personalized immunotherapeutic strategies for patients with TNBC.
CONTACT INFO
Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute - McGill University
1160 Pine Ave. West (Room 508)
Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
H3A 1A3
T. 514.398.8889
F. 514.398.6769