Proteomic analysis of FAK function in human pancreatic cancer

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Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) protein is being upregulated in a variety of malignancies, including pancreatic cancer. It has been shown that its expression is related to the tumour promoting inflammation. Moreover, the inhibitors of FAK have progressed onto the second stage of clinical trials, with numerous pharmaceutical companies exploring its function as an immunogenic agent. The investigations are based on the recent findings, where FAK suppresses interferon y (IFNy) response, closely associated with immunoresistance of carcinomas, including Pancreatic Cancer. The full mechanism of this resistance remains unknown, and this study was constructed to address it. The project aims to investigate FAK's function using a panel of ~30 patient-derived cell lines of pancreatic cancer, with the emphasis on the IFNy regulation and its effect on the antigen repertoire presented. The major aim of the study is to determine the proteomic signature that would be clinically relevant, and would allow patients' stratification leading to the identification of subgroups most likely to benefit from FAK inhibition treatment. The approach used to address those aims would depend on the quantitative proteomics and bioinformatic analyses combining both, wet and dry laboratory work.