Objective
"Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is an incurable malignancy. Cytogenetics, molecular genetics and single nucleotide polymorphism arrays have shown significant genetic complexity in PCM. However, these screens reflect only the predominant clonal population and genetic-based prognostic classification of PCM can predict the outcome only in a subset of cases. To better understand the oncogenesis of PCM combined investigation of genetic abnormalities at single cell level is needed.
The original theory of clonal evolution in cancer proposed a stepwise, linear acquisition of mutations; however a branching sub-clonal genetic structure has recently been demonstrated in the leukaemia-propagating (‘stem’) cells of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The aim of this project is (i) to determine whether sub-clonal heterogeneity is a feature of PCM, (ii) to determine whether there is any particular order of acquisition of translocations, copy number alterations and gene mutations, (iii) to examine clonal heterogeneity with progression of disease and (iv) to determine whether myeloma propagating cells also show sub-clonal genetic heterogeneity.
Purified plasma cells from patients with PCM as well as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and plasma cell leukaemia will be investigated. Specific abnormalities, identified by pre-screening tests, will be analyzed at single cell level using multicolour-FISH and a high-throughput microfluidic platform. Serial transplantation of malignant cells into NOD/SCID mice will be used for investigation of sub-clonal heterogeneity of myeloma propagating cells.
We anticipate that this project will identify key mechanisms in myeloma progression potentially leading to the introduction of a much more precise prognostic classification and residual disease monitoring. If myeloma stem cells are genetically diverse, this offers the potential to alter treatment strategies and will have major implications for management of patients with PCM."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular genetics
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics nucleotides
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine transplantation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology leukemia
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
SW7 3RP London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.