Int. J. Dev. Biol. 55: 713 - 718 (2011)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.113381ow

Vol 55, Issue 7-8-9

Special Issue: Mammary Gland in Development & Cancer

Signaling networks in cancer - an interview with Christian Gespach

Published: 29 November 2011

Olivier De Wever*

Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

The dynamic, innovative temperament of Christian Gespach is ideally suited to unraveling some aspects of the complex molecular networks connected with signal transduction, cancer progression and treatment. He is one of the pioneers who opened, in the early 1980s, new insights into the signaling mechanisms of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activation, desensitization, internalisation and crosstalks. Twenty five years later and in collaboration with Gespach, IPSEN pharmaceuticals designed pan-inhibitors of GPCR signaling, targeting Gα subunits in breast cancer progression and other epithelial cancers. Creativity is of vital importance to understand signal transduction pathways engaged in cancer cell motility, invasion and drug resistance. Christian Gespach has published more than 200 papers in cancer research, a true signal transduction tale.

Keywords

interview, molecular network, GPCR, motility