The estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ER-alpha and ER-beta, as mediators of the estrogen signaling, regulate cellular processes including proliferation, apoptosis and invasion that influence the normal physiology and the development and progression of cancer. Perturbation of ER subtype-specific expression has been detected in various types of cancer and differences in the expression of ERs correlate with the clinical outcome.

Dr. Christoforos Thomas’ research interests lie in two related areas. The first is to investigate the mechanisms through which ERs regulate cancer biological responses that impact cancer initiation, progression and response to therapy. In this area, he focuses on the interaction of estrogen receptors with the p53 and growth factor signaling as well as how estrogen receptors regulate stress response in breast and lung cancer. The second is to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate ER expression in cells. The aim of his studies is to identify ER-associated pathways and genes that are involved in cancer biology that may lead to characterization of new therapeutic targets and the subsequent availability of more treatment options for patients with resistant cancer.