By Katarina A. Lewczyk  | Date published: November 18, 2024

Anukriti Mathur to Explore Role of Inflammasome Pathways in Skin Immunity and Melanoma with Recent Postdoctoral Fellowship Award 

Melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer originating from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, poses significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive nature and tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Despite advancements in early detection and treatment, melanoma remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in its advanced stages. 

Anukriti Mathur, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Kate Fitzgerald, was recently awarded the Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr. Mathur will explore the role of inflammasome pathways in skin immunity and melanoma. In previous studies, her group identified a fungal metabolite that elicits inflammation and cell death in human skin cells. This project is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism of innate immune recognition of this metabolite via the inflammasome pathway. Results will help shed light on the physiological relevance of inflammasomes and their agonists in regulating melanoma progression. 

According to Dr. Mathur, the significance of the research lies in its contribution to understanding how a fungal metabolite influences both immune responses and cancer progression. By elucidating the specific inflammasome pathways activated by the metabolite and its effects on tumor growth, her group believes their work could pave the way for novel cancer treatments that harness the power of the immune system to combat tumors.