Targeting the nucleoli as A strategy to treat cancer

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ELAINE SANIJ
Laboratory Head, St Vincent’s Institute Medical Research

Thursday 31 Augus t 2023, 12pm – 1pm.

ZOOM:
https://monash.zoom.us/j/82108164573
ID: 82108164573
Passcode: 418811

IN PERSON:

15 Innovation Walk, Room G19

ABSTRACT
Cancer cells are addicted to high rates of protein synthesis that require hyperactivation of ribosome biogenesis. The nucleoli are the site of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and ribosome assembly. The induction of nucleolar stress by
the selective inhibitor of Pol I transcription, CX 5461, has shown promising anti tumour activity in various preclinical cancer models and in Phase I clinical trials in blood and solid cancers. We propose that CX 5461 represents the first drug is a new class of cancer therapeutics targeting the nucleoli that will have broad efficacy in multiple cancer types. We have recently performed whole genome RNAi and arrayed CRISPR Cas9 screens to identify novel inducers of nucleolar stress. We have found a strong interdependence between faithful DNA replication, cell cycle progression and the regulation of ribosome biogenesis within the nucleoli. Our work highlights harnessing nucleolar stress as an exciting non genotoxic approach to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Associate Professor Elaine Sanij is a cancer biologist, a Laboratory Head at St Vincent’s Institute (SVI) and a Victorian Cancer Agency Mid Career Research Fellow. A/Prof Sanij’s research is focused on developing innovative cancer therapeutics targeting ribosome biogenesis and the DNA damage response to overcome drug resistance in ovarian cancer and multiple myeloma. A/Prof Sanij was recently appointed
one of six theme leaders at the Barrie Dalgleish Research Centre for Myeloma, a partnership between 6 organizations within the Parkville precinct. A/Prof Sanij received her PhD from Monash University (2003), a Cancer Research UK fellowship (2003 2006) and was a Senior Research Fellow at the Peter Mac (2006 2021). She is internationally recognized in the field of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription and
targeting Pol I as a novel treatment paradigm in cancer therapy. A/Prof Sanij is translational investigator on a Phase I clinical trial of the Pol I inhibitor CX 5461 in prostate cancer at Peter Mac.

ABOUT THIS SERIES:
The Monash BDI and MPCCC have partnered together to deliver cancer seminars aimed at enhancing our focus for education and i dentifying opportunities for further research amplification via new collaborations.