Our Research
Targeting M2 Tumor Associated MacropHages in Lethal Prostate Cancer
The Zarif lab studies molecular mechanisms by host immune cells that traffic to the tumor microenvironment and ultimately promote tumor growth, therapeutic resistance and metastasis. Our lab also focuses on novel hypothesis driven research of new biomarkers and metabolic preferences needed by these cells that could be exploited and used as therapeutic targets for metastatic prostate cancer. Image is from Zarif, J.C., et al. 2014
We have also studied M2 – Tumor Associated Macrophage (M2-TAM) infiltration in mCRPC samples using our Rapid Autopsy program here at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Using fluorescently-conjugated antibodies against CD206 and CD163 (both M2-TAM markers) we were able to assess that a large portion of the tumor microenvironment was infused with M2-TAMs. When we determined the presence of inflammatory macrophages (CD86 high) we observed a paucity in these cells in multiple patient samples. We also performed immunohistochemistry for M2-TAM marker CD206 on mCRPC that metastasized to the bone. We were able to report an influx of M2-TAMs in the bone. Image is from Zarif, J.C. et al. 2017
