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Characterization of Key Epigenetic Targets in Hepatic Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development. Generation of New Antifibrotic and Antitumoral Drugs.

Objective

Liver fibrosis represents a common pathogenic pathway in most chronic liver diseases (CLDs) and cirrhosis, its end stage, is a huge healthcare burden. The main causes of CLD are chronic viral hepatitis B or C infection, alcohol abuse and obesity-linked steatohepatitis, conditions with increasing global incidence. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops on this background of CLD as a multistep process in the context of chronic inflammation and cirrhosis. Among all non-hematological malignancies, HCC has the fastest rising incidence of any neoplasm in USA and Europe. Despite all the progress in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, there are no effective therapies to halt fibrosis or quell liver cancer. Exposure to environmental factors triggers adaptative epigenetic mechanisms, including alterations in DNA methylation or post-translational modification of histones, which control gene expression and ultimately cellular behaviour in ways critical for the development of CLD and HCC. From the literature and our preliminary observations it is known that many of the enzymes carrying out these epigenetic events, such as DNA and histone methyltransferases, present altered expression and activity in CLD and HCC. The deposition of methyl marks in histones and DNA are very dynamic enzymatic processes, amenable to pharmacological intervention and therefore constitute attractive therapeutic targets. Our proposal has two main objectives: first the analysis of the expression, activity and pathological significance of DNA and histone-methyltransferases in models of CLD and hepatocarcinogenesis; and second the development of new efficacious DNA and histone-methyltransferase specific inhibitors with a good safety profile, which is critical when treating patients with compromised liver function. These new epigenetic therapies could be used to prevent CLD progression, and to treat HCC alone or in combination with existing drugs.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014

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Coordinator

FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION MEDICA APLICADA FIMA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 170 121,60
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AVENIDA DE PIO XII 55
31008 Pamplona
Spain

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Region
Noreste Comunidad Foral de Navarra Navarra
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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.

€ 170 121,60
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