Maja H. Oktay

Tie2 signaling in the tumor microenvironment orchestrates breast cancer cell dissemination through TMEM doorways

This study identifies macrophage Tie2 signaling as critical for TMEM doorway-mediated vascular permeability and metastatic dissemination in breast cancer.

FAK Inhibition Remodels the Metastatic ECM and Restores CD8+ T Cell Trafficking and Immunosurveillance

This paper shows that FAK inhibition remodels the metastatic ECM, enhancing CD8+ T cell infiltration and immunosurveillance in breast cancer.

Metastatic dissemination of breast cancer stem cells requires MenaINV for lung extravasation but not survival

This study identifies MenaINV as essential for breast cancer stem cell extravasation but not survival, revealing distinct pathways for metastatic dominance.

TMEM Doorway Mediated Metastasis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Tie2 Signaling

This study identifies TMEM doorways as a mechanism for metastasis in PDAC, showing Tie2 macrophages facilitate intravasation and that targeting Tie2 improves survival in mouse models.

Paclitaxel causes de novo induction of invasive breast cancer cells by repolarizing tumor-associated macrophages

This study shows paclitaxel induces MenaINV in breast cancer cells by repolarizing tumor-associated macrophages, enhancing metastasis.

Intratumoral CXCL12 Gradients Contextualize Tumor Cell Invasion, Migration and Immune Suppression in Breast Cancer

This study shows CXCL12 gradients around TMEM doorways promote tumor cell invasion and create immunosuppressive niches by affecting CD8+ T cell function and distribution.