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Marie-Claude Hofmann

Marie-Claude Hofmann

Regular Member

Professor

713.745.2009713.745.2009
[email protected]
Zayed Z8.3024

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders

I am a Professor in the Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. I have worked on elucidating signal transduction pathways in normal tissues and cancer cells for over 25 years. My laboratory has two research programs centered on stem cells (reproductive biology) and cancer cell biology. Our long-standing research program in reproductive biology has uncovered the pivotal role of several pathways including GDNF/RET and JAG1/NOTCH signaling in male germline stem cell development and the function of Sertoli cells in these processes.

For example, we established that NOTCH signaling in Sertoli cells plays a role in modulating the expression of critical growth factors such as GDNF, thus maintaining germ cell homeostasis. My group also identified a critical role of the Erythroblast Transformation Specific (ETS) transcription factor, ETV5, in Sertoli cells and we have recently uncovered a new function of the histone demethylase LSD1 in testicular cancer. Our thyroid cancer research program focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to kinase inhibitors in aggressive tumors. More specifically, we focus on identifying novel druggable pathways and deciphering the origin of genomic instability in anaplastic thyroid cancer, one of the most aggressive tumor types known. We have demonstrated that ETV5 is up-regulating genes that are drivers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human thyroid cancer cells and identified ETV5 as a novel marker of drug resistance.

We are also studying cross-talks between ERK1/2/ETV5 and other pathways such as the p38 and RAC1/PAK1/2 pathways in drug-resistant cells. Further, we recently identified the Rho-GTPase RAC1 protein as a possible driver of genomic instability through its nuclear localization and activation of centrosomal PAK1/2 in cancer cells. Altogether, my group has a strong expertise and track record in signaling pathways that contribute to drug resistance in cancer and we have established immune-competent ATC mouse models and mouse cell lines that faithfully recapitulate ATC tumor emergence and progression. Our goal is to further improve the health of patients afflicted by this disease and increase their life expectancy.

PubMed

MDACC Faculty

Hofmann Lab

Education & Training

Ph.D. - University of Lausanne, Switzerland - 1988

Programs


Faculty Development