The Role of Sox2 in Lung Cancer Initiation and Progression

We continue to make progress on the proposed work. For the first aim, we have rederived and crossed a floxed p63 mouse line with our Scgb1a1-CreER lsl Sox2-IRES GFP mouse line. The resulting mouse line has no decrement in carcinogenesis. We are currently deleting p63 in human lung cancer cell lines to further validate the finding that p63 is dispensible for Sox2-induced tumorigenesis. In aim 2, we have attempted further transplants of proximal Sox2- expressing bronchial epithelial cells into the alveoli. However, we have not seen tumor formation even in the presence of supporting fibroblast cells. For aim 3, speed congenics continues to create pure strains of Scgb1a1-CreER lsl Sox2-IRES GFP mice. Comparison of the mice will allow identification of modifier genes contributing to Sox2-induced lung cancer.