Honami Naora
Professor
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology
Research in the Naora Laboratory is directed to investigating the mechanisms of metastatic organotropism, with a focus on cellular dynamics in peritoneal metastasis. Whereas metastasis to various distal sites occurs through the blood circulation or lymphatic system, ovarian cancers and several other types of abdominal cancers often disseminate through the interstitial fluid in the peritoneal cavity. A common destination site of cancer cells that disseminate intraperitoneally is the omentum, an immune cell-rich fatty tissue that drapes from stomach. Our ongoing research seeks to address the following fundamental biological questions and unmet clinical needs.
- The omentum contains a high abundance of immune cell structures called fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs) that play a critical role in eliminating pathogens from the peritoneal cavity. Paradoxically, cancer cells that shed into the peritoneal fluid are highly prone to form implants in omental FALCs. A major objective of our research is to understand why these FALCs do not effectively defend against cancer cells.
- Metastasis to the omentum leads to bowel obstruction. Omentectomy is the standard of care but it is difficult to resect the omentum in its entirety. By investigating the cellular dynamics in the omentum and peritoneal cavity, our ultimate goal is to develop strategies that can minimize the risk of colonization of preserved omental tissues by occult cancer cells.
- Omental metastasis is often detected after a bulky mass has formed. By delineating the mechanisms that orchestrate formation of the pre-metastatic niche in the omentum, our ultimate goal is to identify approaches that can detect tumors at an early, pre-metastatic stage.
Research in our laboratory is multi-disciplinary, with a strong integration of cancer biology, cell biology, immunology, developmental biology, and molecular biology. A tutorial in our laboratory would provide training in critical thinking, fundamental concepts of the tumor microenvironment and metastasis, and experience in functional and mechanistic studies using a variety of in vitro, ex vivo, and mouse models. Mentorship, collegiality, integrity, and academic freedom to investigate bold new concepts are underlying tenets of our laboratory.
Education & Training
PhD, Australian National University, 1994