Post Doctoral Associate

Surgery, Division of Infection and Vascular Biology

Basic Translational Research

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)

Graduate Student - Ph.D. / Research Assistant

Pharmacology, Vascular Surgery

Medical School

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)

Sabita Roy

Effects of opioids on tumor cell induced angiogenesis, cancer growth, progression and metastasis

Our studies have contributed to the current understanding of some of the essential elements contributing to tumor growth and progression. The balance between tumor growth and tumor cell death occurs through the development of angiogenesis and the action of pro- and anti-inflammatory cells. The exact mechanism by which tumor angiogenesis occurs has yet to be determined. Current evidence suggests in cases of both physiological and pathological angiogenesis, angiogenesis is partially dependent on the recruitment of endothelial stem-like progenitors from the bone marrow. Of equal importance to vessel formation and stabilization is the recruitment of peripheral blood monocytes, neutrophils and macrophages that further recruit inflammatory cells from spleen and bone marrow to support and maintain angiogenesis initiated by hypoxic cancer cells. Our investigations suggest opioids can act on multiple mechanisms to inhibit tumor growth and progression in vivo.