Descrizione del progetto
Profilazione dei «messaggeri» utilizzati dalle cellule tumorali per comunicare
Negli ultimi anni, le vescicole extracellulari (extracellular vesicles, EV) sono passate da un relativo anonimato alla celebrità. Esse vengono secrete da tutte le cellule e sono ora riconosciute come i vettori delle molecole biologicamente attive che viaggiano verso obiettivi locali o a distanza, per mediare la comunicazione intracellulare. La progressione e le metastasi tumorali sono collegate alle EV in quanto queste cellule utilizzano le EV per esportare le molecole con funzione regolatoria, quali oncoproteine e oncopeptidi. Inoltre, le EV si trovano nei liquidi corporei, a supporto del loro potenziale come biomarcatori circolanti nel sangue o nelle urine nonché come obiettivi di terapie antitumorali. proEVLifeCycle sta creando un gruppo dinamico di ricercatori per favorire la comprensione del ciclo vitale delle EV coinvolte nel carcinoma prostatico, per migliorare la diagnosi e il trattamento del tumore più comune nell’uomo.
Obiettivo
The prostate cancer Extracellular Vesicle LifeCycle (proEVLifeCycle) network is an innovative, multidisciplinary training
program focused on understanding the biology, biomarker potential and function of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to resolve
unmet clinical needs of prostate cancer (PCa). It is within this realm, that we will equip early stage researchers with the
knowledge, tools and a creative ethos to be independent scientists, leaders, and drivers of innovation. The lifecycle of EVs is
poorly understood and their potential as non-invasive biomarkers and therapy target/agents, a growing area of interest. This
research can perfectly be integrated with the high need for novel biomarkers and therapy targets for PCa. Any relief in the
burden of this disease will have major impact on the huge socio-economic problems for patients, families, caregivers and
society.
The ambitious scientific objectives are to unravel the mysteries of EV biogenesis, homing and uptake to explain how vesicles
operate in disease processes; their heterogeneity, their molecular complexity, the biological functions they drive, their local
and systemic dissemination and how these may be manipulated. Using state-of-the-art, network-wide shared model
systems, imaging and profiling tools, and systems biology, the program will enlighten the lifecycle of EVs and identify novel
EV biomarkers and PCa therapy targets to address the unmet clinical needs.
Our original network of 7 academic and 3 company beneficiaries and 11 partners, provides optimal scientific training, crosssectoral
awareness, entrepreneurship skills, communication in the modern age, extensive opportunities for mobility and
patient-facing experiences. We herein meet identified EU-skills gaps providing well-rounded and inventive experts primed for influential careers, contributing to patient well-being and economic prosperity within the EU.
Campo scientifico
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinatore
3015 GD Rotterdam
Paesi Bassi