CV Science

Julie CARAMEL PhD Oncology

Course and current status

2018     "Habilitation à diriger les Recherches", University Claude Bernard Lyon1

2013 -   Permanent Research Associate (CRCN INSERM), Cancer Research Center of Lyon - Alain Puisieux laboratory, "EMT and cancer cell plasticity", melanoma project leader

2011 - 2012    Post-doctoral Fellow (Centre Léon Bérard), Cancer Research Center of Lyon - Alain Puisieux laboratory, Role of embryonic EMT-inducing transcription factors in melanomagenesis

2007 - 2010    Post-doctoral fellow, Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier - Claude Sardet laboratory, "Cell Cycle, Transcription and Cancer", Role of E4F1 in epidermal stem cell homeostasis and skin tumorigenesis

2003 - 2007    PhD in Fundamental Bases of Oncogenesis, University Paris VII / Curie Institute, Paris - Olivier Delattre laboratory, "Genetics and Biology of Cancers", Analysis of hSNF5/INI1 tumor suppressor functions: roles in cell differentiation and migration

2001 – 2003    Master in Fundamental Bases of Oncogenesis, University Paris VII / ENS of Lyon / Pasteur Institute, Paris ; ERASMUS, Uppsala University, Sweden.

2001  Bachelor degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) of Lyon

Scientific summary

Melanoma is a highly metastatic neural-crest derived skin cancer. We recently demonstrated the major roles of EMT-inducing transcription factors in the development of malignant melanoma, with TWIST1 and ZEB1 acting as oncogenes whilst SNAIL2 and ZEB2 rather exhibit tumor suppressive function (Caramel et al. Cancer Cell, 2013). A switch from SNAIL2/ZEB2 to ZEB1/TWIST1 expression pattern, directly regulated by the MAPK-dependent AP-1 family member FRA1, is determinant for BRAFV600-driven neoplastic transformation of melanocytes and represents a novel independent predictive factor of poor prognosis in patients with malignant melanoma. The role of EMT-mediated melanoma cell plasticity in the resistance to BRAFV600-targeted therapy is now investigated.

In close collaboration with Stéphane Dalle (dermatology unit, Hôpital Lyon Sud), we are developping both fundamental and translational projects aiming at characterizing new pathways regulating melanoma development and resistance to treatment (MAPK inhibitors and immunotherapy) with the general aim of designing new combination therapies in metastatic melanoma.