EMBO Member

Pier Paolo Di Fiore

European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milano | Italy

EMBO 1998

Endocytosis, stem cells and cancer

We are studying the mechanisms of signal transduction by tyrosine kinase receptors in tumors and the role of endocytosis in this process. More recently, we linked endocytosis to cancer and stem cells by demonstrating that loss of expression of the endocytic protein Numb is causal in breast tumorigenesis. This discovery has driven a translational research effort to develop practical applications to cancer treatment based on stem cell biology.

Keywords: Tyrosine kinase receptors / endocytosis / stem cells / breast cancer / Numb / asymmetric cell division

Subject area(s): Differentiation & Death | Molecular Medicine | Signal Transduction