Seminar – Gwendal LAZENNEC

Inflammation, Chemokines, hormones and Tumor microenvironment

Gwendal Lazennec is mainly working on tumor microenvironment and the roles of chemokines and their receptors in breast cancer. From initial studies linked to the involvement of Estrogen Receptors (ER) action in hormone-dependent cancers, he has highlighted the particular link between ER and chemokines in breast cancer. The discovery that, in addition to immune cells, cancer cells themselves could secrete chemokines has modified the understanding of chemokine action in cancer aggressiveness. The central role of chemokines and their receptors in the cross-talk between cancer cells and immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages along tumor progression will be presented. Finally, the original action of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 in pituitary function and in reproduction in the context of chronic infections will be discussed.