Objective This application promises to provide new treatment options for cancer and cardiovascular diseases that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Current cardiovascular and cancer therapies are often insufficient, unsuccessful or not suitable for all patients. Inhibition of angiogenesis is already used in the clinics, but with limited success. On the other hand, stimulation of the growth of blood vessels, angiogenesis, and of arteriogenesis, the growth of (collateral) arteries, has been unsuccessfully tried for the treatment of tissue ischemia. The aim of this research plan is to reveal new disease-related functions of endothelial growth factors and their signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease and to establish preclinical models of effective therapy based on new knowledge of the biology of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), angiopoietins (Ang), angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. We will embark on new studies based on our novel discoveries on the crosstalk between endothelial growth factor pathways in tumor angiogenesis, the involvement of lymphatic vessels in the development of obesity and associated inflammation, and on the striking effects of VEGF-B on cardiac muscle and vessels. We will develop molecular genetic and iPS cell derived models, and use functional genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, viral gene delivery and blocking reagents from human antibody libraries for our studies that should be of high priority in basic science and medicine. My laboratory is uniquely suited and networked for new discoveries to advance therapies for both cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Some of our work has already been translated to clinical development and we aim to provide additional drug candidates in this project. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseasesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionobesity Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS7 - ERC Advanced Grant - Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health Call for proposal ERC-2010-AdG_20100317 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO EU contribution € 2 499 884,00 Address Yliopistonkatu 3 00014 Helsingin yliopisto Finland See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Kari Kustaa Alitalo (Prof.) Administrative Contact Tiina Berg (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO Finland EU contribution € 2 499 884,00 Address Yliopistonkatu 3 00014 Helsingin yliopisto See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Kari Kustaa Alitalo (Prof.) Administrative Contact Tiina Berg (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data