Dr. Gunjan Sharma’s breast cancer research earns top awards at Mississippi Academy of Sciences

Dr. Gunjan Sharma, postdoctoral research fellow and member of the Cancer Center and Research Institute, was recently honored with two notable awards at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. Sharma earned  first place in Fellow-Investigator Oral Presentation and 3rd place in Fellow-Investigator Award, which was combined with a poster presentation, in the Division of Health Sciences.

Sharma’s research focuses on the GPR35 receptor, a newly discovered target that plays a role in the spread of breast cancer to the bones in patients. The study looks at how tumor cells interact with the bones, helping to explain how breast cancer spreads to the bones and forms areas where the cancer grows.

One promising approach is targeting the GPR35 receptor, which can help prevent bone-related complications like pain and fractures, common in advanced breast cancer.

"This research provides new insights into the mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis to the bones," said Sharma. "Our goal is to develop therapies that can prevent these complications and improve outcomes for patients facing advanced stages of cancer."