Hermione project : Novel Anticancer Therapeutics based on Modulation of Apoptosis through Dependence Receptors : Results

Since 1998, a new concept has emerged, based on the notion that a receptor unoccupied by its ligand is not necessarily inactive. Rather, such a receptor can mediate two different signalling pathways, depending on whether or not it is bound by its ligand. In the absence of ligand, signalling leads to an active process that results in cell death through apoptosis.

The survival of a cell expressing such a receptor can therefore be seen as dependent on the presence of the ligand, hence the concept of “dependence receptors” (DR).

The fact that the different DRs trigger apoptosis in the absence of ligand suggests that they may all act as regulators of tumorigenesis. In addition, expression of DRs is lost or decreased in many tumours, suggesting that they act as tumour suppressors and that their loss represents a selective advantage for tumoral cells.

Global aim of the HERMIONE Project :
Generate knowledge on DR signalling pathways involved in the apoptosis of tumoral cells (colorectal, breast, thyroid and prostate cancers) and use the general concept of dependence receptors to select and perform pre-clinical testing of novel anti-cancer drugs.

SEE THE RESULTS : http://www.hermione-project.com/uploads/media/Hermione_final_brochure_01.pdf

Countries

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, United Kingdom