Brief

Endometrial cancer is quickly becoming the most common gynaecological cancer in the developed world, with its incidence rising in post-menopausal women. Therefore, the development of new and effective anticancer therapeutic regiments is a necessity. There is increasing evidence for a direct role of gonadotropin hormone receptors (which are key in normal gonadal function) in promoting tumorigenesis in this hormonally-linked gynaecological cancer. However, the underlying signal pathways and molecular mechanisms are unknown. Our group have uncovered novel cell biological pathways that regulate gonadotropin hormone receptor signalling in non-cancer cell systems, including their ability to exhibit signal cross-talk. Thus, the aim of this project is to investigate the ability of endometrial cancer cells to rewire the normal cell biological pathways activated by these receptors in order to aid their survival, proliferation and metastatic potential.