BBB seminar: Bruce C. Baguley
What can freshly cultured cancer cells tell us about human cancer behaviour?
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Bruce C. Baguley
Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Human tumour cell lines are used extensively as models for neoplastic disease, but do they accurately reflect all of the tumour’s properties? We investigated this question by directly culturing surgical material in 7-day assays. Surprisingly, we found that while some cultures grew at rates that were comparable to those of cell lines, others grew very slowly. Moreover, the proliferation rates were related to patient survival. We suggest that differences in tumour cell turnover, and in the resulting production of apoptotic cells, plays an important role in determining clinical outcome.
Chairperson: James B. Lorens, Department of Biomedicine
Bruce C. Baguley, Co-Director at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, is a leading cancer researcher, currently visiting our department as a guest in Jim Lorens’ lab. His major research interest is the development of anticancer drugs, with a particular focus on the operation of a multidisciplinary facility where new treatment strategies can be formulated and new drugs synthesised, and where comprehensive laboratory studies can be complemented by clinical trials in cancer patients. In his talk, Professor Baguley will discuss his recent work on melanoma therapy resistance and provide his unique experience from a 50 year career.
