Christian Gomez
Associate Professor, Department of Pathology
Tumor Cell Biology Program
Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, 2004, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Postdoc, 2004-2008, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood IL
Assistant Professor, 2008-2011, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN
Contact Information
2500 N State St, Room G657
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: 601-815-3060
Email: crgomez@umc.edu
Research Interests
- The effects of advanced age on inflammation, immunoregulation, and injury
- Immunotherapy for prostate cancer
- Hypoxia-Regulated genes in Prostate Carcinogenesis and Prognosis
Research Synopsis
The general research interests focus of our lab is on modulating immunity to offset the effects of disease and aging. The overall goal is to develop basic research with immediate translational potential and technological applicability in cellular immunotherapy of cancer, immune reconstitution and regenerative medicine. Our ongoing efforts are to develop more effective cancer immunotherapy, particularly immunotherapy of prostate cancer (CaP). One of our projects tests the hypothesis that hypoxically grown cells mimic more closely the antigenic signature of (the naturally hypoxic) tumor cells in situ than do the currently studied cellular vaccines prepared in air. The aim is to characterize the antigenic landscape of hypoxically cultured CaP cells and compare it to that of normoxic CaP cells. Consequently, we are identifying oxygen-tension (ρO2) responsive genes and proteins in CaP cells using transcriptomics, proteomics and immune techniques for detection of tumor-associated antigens in CaP cells. Our findings are validated by studying gene expression also in patient-derived CaP tissue. In another project, we have found the transcripts of hypoxia-regulated genes, overexpressed in human primary CaP and human CaP cell lines. In our studies gene expression correlated with pathological scores and prognosis. Consequently, we hypothesize that hypoxia-regulated transcript levels can serve as a prognostic factor. We are testing this hypothesis by measuring the levels of hypoxia-controlled transcripts in resected CaP tissues and studying the association with survival. In addition, in CaP cells, we are overexpressing selected genes and studying the effects of hypoxia-controlled genes on proliferation, anchorage-dependent and independent growth, and sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs. Validation of hypoxia-controlled genes' role in tumor progression will classify these molecules as a potentially new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Recent Accomplishments and Honors
2010 AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research
2011 Prostate Cancer Foundation, Treatment Sciences Creativity Awards recipient
Selected Publications
- Gomez, C.R., et al. Interleukin-6 contributes to age-related alteration of cytokine production by macrophages. 2010. Mediators Inflamm, article ID:475139
- Gomez, C.R., et al. Comparison of the effects of aging and IL-6 on the hepatic inflammatory response in two models of systemic injury: scald injury versus i.p. LPS administration. 2009. Shock, 31:178-84.
- Nomellini, V., et al. An age-associated increase in pulmonary inflammation after burn injury is abrogated by CXCR2 inhibition. 2008. J. Leuk. Biol, 83:1493-501
- Gomez, C.R., et al, Advanced age exacerbates the pulmonary inflammatory response after lipopolysaccharide exposure. 2007. Crit Care Med, 35:246-51.
- Gomez, C.R., et al. Aberrant Acute Phase Response in Aged IL-6 KO mice. 2006. Shock, 25:581-85.
