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Welcome to Elkabets laboratory's website!

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At our laboratory, we are dedicated to understanding and exploring the fascinating field of cancer therapy adaptation. Our primary focus is on investigating how head and neck tumors respond to various treatment modalities, with the ultimate goal of improving the efficacy of cancer therapies.

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Cancer is a complex and dynamic disease that can adapt and evolve over time, leading to treatment resistance and disease progression. Our team of passionate researchers is committed to unraveling the mechanisms behind this adaptation and identifying novel strategies to overcome it.We also actively collaborate with clinicians and oncologists to bridge the gap between bench and bedside. By fostering strong partnerships, we aim to translate our discoveries into practical applications that can directly benefit cancer patients.

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Through our website, we invite you to explore our ongoing research projects, meet our team members, and learn more about the exciting work happening in our lab. We are driven by a shared passion for scientific discovery and a commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by cancer.

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Drug resistance

Drug resistance is a major barrier in oncology. Refractoriness to anti-cancer therapies is attributed to autonomous-tumor cell survival and proliferation signaling (intrinsic mechanisms) or is mediated by growth factors secreted by cells in the tumor microenvironment (extrinsic mechanisms).

 

Our long-term goal is to elucidate the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy and targeted therapies, particularly, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) and esophagus (ESCC) , paving the way for developing new therapeutic strategies to treat these patients.

 

Our laboratory develops unique murine cancer models and grows human tumor biopsys in NSG mice to study the dynamic changes that occur in the tumor and the microenvironment that limit the efficacy of therapies. Moreover, we use DNA and RNA sequencing to identify determinants of sensitivity to therapies and to uncover potential mechanisms of escape. Develop unique cancer models and apply state of the art techniques to study drug resistance.

 

 

Immunotherapy

Our dedicated team focuses on understanding how tumors respond to therapy and developing improved treatment strategies.

In the realm of immunotherapy, we actively develop novel immunotherapies and explore ways to enhance the efficacy of checkpoint blockers and CAR-T cells. Additionally, we are pioneers in developing technologies that serve as biomarkers to predict and monitor responses to immunotherapies.

Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to revolutionize cancer treatment by harnessing the power of the immune system. By staying at the forefront of scientific advancements and employing cutting-edge techniques, we strive to improve patient outcomes and provide new hope in the fight against cancer.

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Advancing Cancer Therapy through Molecular Insights and Collaborative Innovatio

Through rigorous experimentation and cutting-edge technologies, we aim to decipher the intricate molecular and cellular processes that occur within tumors during therapy. By gaining insights into the adaptive responses of cancer cells, we can develop innovative approaches to enhance treatment outcomes and prolong patient survival.

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Our multidisciplinary team comprises scientists from diverse backgrounds, including molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and translational medicine. This collaborative approach allows us to combine expertise and tackle complex research questions from multiple angles.

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In our laboratory, we employ state-of-the-art techniques and technologies to analyze tumor samples and generate high-quality data. From next-generation sequencing to advanced imaging modalities, we harness the power of these tools to uncover hidden patterns and biomarkers that may hold the key to improved cancer therapies.