Hormonal signalling and cancer – Cecilia Williams research group

Our research focuses on understanding key molecular mechanisms in cancer. Each cancer is unique and there is an urgent need for precision medicine, diagnostic tools, and novel treatment approaches to reduce cancer mortality. We use a combination of large-scale omics together with focused mechanistic experiments and in vivo studies.

Part of the:
images and graphs of colorectal cancer and cells
Colorectal cancer (top left) is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths, and is more common in men compared to women (top right, from Zheng et al., BMC Cancer, 2019). We have shown that colitis accompanied by colon tumors reduces the diversity of the microbiome and that this is further reduced if intestinal ERβ is deleted (middle right, from Ibrahim et al., Int. J Cancer 2019). Omics data proposes the underlying mechanisms (bottom right, Cover, Molecular Endocrinology), and in vivo micrometastasis assay using zebrafish embryos show that expression of ERβ in colorectal cancer cells reduces the cells’ migratory capacity (bottom left, Nguyen-Vu et al., 2016).

Our research

Our goal is to understand critical cancer pathways so that we can suggest better cancer treatments and preventive approaches, as well as biomarkers, to be developed for clinical use.

Non-coding RNA molecules are RNAs that do not encode for proteins. The family includes microRNAs which regulate translation of target mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which can have active functions such as 3D-RNA molecules. Both types can function as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. We study how non-coding RNAs are impacted by cell differentiation, hormone signalling and cancer, and their corresponding functions.

Oestrogen signalling and sex differences in cancer

Some cancers (such as colorectal and liver) are more common in men, and others (breast and thyroid) are more common in women. We explore how the hormone oestrogen influences this and, for example, increases the growth of breast cancer while protecting against colorectal cancer.

grid of eight microscopy images
Antibody validation (PPZ0506) and tissue-microarrays (TMA) of cancerous clinical tissues confirms expression of nuclear ERβ in (i–l) 3 out of 4 granulosa cell tumours, (m) one case of melanoma, and (p) one case of thyroid cancer. The remaining 16 cancer types were all negative, here exemplified by (n) colorectal cancer and (o) breast cancer. Brown: positive IHC staining; Blue: hematoxylin counter staining. Scale bar indicates 50 mm. Arrows indicate examples of cells with nuclear staining (from Andersson et al. Nature Communications 2017).

The effect of oestrogen is mediated by three oestrogen receptors: ERα, ERβ and GPER1. These are expressed to various extent in different tissues in both women and men. ERα and ERβ are ligand-activated nuclear receptors and are excellent therapeutic targets. GPER1 is a G protein-coupled transmembrane receptor with promising therapeutic potential. Using technologies like RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, microbiota analysis, and proteomics, along with cell models, tissue-specific knockouts and clinical samples, we explore how these three receptors, and their ligands such as dietary oestrogens or endocrine disruptors, impact cancer. We are interested in understanding how this contributes to sex differences in cancer incidences and outcomes, as well as the intricate connection with diet/obesity, inflammation and carcinogenesis. Our goal is to contribute to better biomarkers, therapeutics and preventive approaches.

Research Networks

  • Pan-Gynecologic Cancers Analysis Working Group, The Cancer Genome Atlas
  • VR Research environment Interdisciplinary research (QuantumSense 2018-2025)
  • American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Prizes/Awards

  • Career Development Award (VINNOVA/ Marie-Curie Actions GROWTH 291795, Cecilia Williams, 2014-2018)
  • National Cancer Institute / NIH USA (R01 CA172437, 2013-2019)

Publications

Selected publications

Funding

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2023 - 31 December 2026
    Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality. The disease exhibits distinct sex differences in incidence, tumor location, tumor characteristics, and survival, and estrogen reduces the incidence and mortality. Emerging data support that estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) mediates this effect. We have demonstrated that intestinal ERβ is protective in both sexes. Our preliminary data show that ERβ in the tumor microenvironment reduces the number of tumor-infiltrating macrophages, stemness markers, and stabilizes circadian clock regulation, in part by modifying inflammatory NFkB signaling. We will test our specific hypotheses using intestinal-specific knockout mice, tumor models, engineered cell lines, organotypic patient-derived cultures, and advanced technologies. Technologies includes high-throughput hyperplex immunofluorescence COMET for spatial proteomics to characterize the immune cell landscape in situ, multiplex plasma cytokine analysis, and capture Hi-C and RIME to deduce and characterize the related molecular mechanisms. The overarching goal is to understand the critical mechanistic background needed to develop useful strategies for chemoprevention and precision medicine, for example, co-administration of receptor-selective ligands and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, we will provide an in-depth understanding of colitis, colon carcinogenesis, peripheral circadian rhythmicity, stemness, and related sex differences.
  • National Cancer Institute
    1 August 2013 - 31 May 2019

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Keywords:
Basic Cancer Research Breast Neoplasms Cancer and Oncology Cell and Molecular Biology Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Show all
Content reviewer:
Cecilia Williams
Karin Vikström
04-09-2025