Unlike normal cells, which grow in a controlled and orderly fashion, tumors grow rapidly and chaotically. To fuel this growth, they promote the creation of new blood vessels, but the result is often a tangled, dysfunctional system that fails to deliver enough oxygen. Insufficient oxygen or “hypoxia” makes tumors more aggressive and resistant to treatment. Dr. Michael Curran’s research focuses on how tumors adapt to these hostile conditions to suppress immune responses and protect themselves.

To survive under hypoxia, tumors rely on a process called oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) to produce energy, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a byproduct. While tumors can tolerate high levels of ROS, immune cells cannot – they are hindered by poor blood flow, deprived of oxygen, and become damaged. Previous attempts to block OxPhos have failed because treatments were too toxic for healthy cells. Dr. Curran’s team has identified tumor-specific OxPhos proteins that are not essential for immune cells or normal tissue. This study will selectively target those proteins, starving tumors of energy while preserving immune function and offering a novel way to tip the balance in favor of the immune system.

Research Focus

Tumor metabolism, immune responses, cell adaptations

Projects and Grants

Breathing new life into tumor immunity through selective OxPhos inhibition