Project description
Tumour endothelium as the source of pyrimidines for cancer cells
The disruption of pyrimidine de novo synthesis (PDNS) blocks cell proliferation. Cancer cells obtain pyrimidines via PDNS or from other sources, and PDNS inhibition in cancer cells is likely bypassed by pyrimidines from the tumour environment or systemic circulation. Metabolism of endothelial cells (ECs) is rewired in tumours, upregulating PDNS. The EU-funded EC-InterCom project aims to uncover if PDNS in ECs can directly provide pyrimidines to cancer cells or if it supports tumors indirectly, by stimulating angiogenesis. The study aims to identify the metabolic communication of ECs with other cells in tumours and establish novel metabolic targets in ECs to improve the efficacy of PDNS inhibitors in vivo.
Objective
It sounds simple: A cell cannot divide without nucleotides. Indeed, the disruption of pyrimidine de novo synthesis (PDNS) efficiently blocks proliferation of cancer cells. Yet still today, PDNS-directed anticancer treatment has not entered clinics due to the lack of efficacy. Why? Cancer cells gain pyrimidines via PDNS or from salvage pathways, and PDNS inhibition in cancer cells can likely be bypassed by pyrimidines produced in the tumor environment or gained from the systemic circulation. Can we target this microenvironmental interaction to improve treatment efficacy? A crucial component of tumor environment are blood vessels. Tumors stimulate their growth, angiogenesis, to gain oxygen and nutrients. Metabolism of endothelial cells (ECs), the inner vessel lining, is rewired in tumors, and tumor ECs upregulate PDNS. However, whether and how elevated PDNS in ECs supports tumorigenesis is unknown. I hypothesize that PDNS in ECs affects tumor environment either directly by providing pyrimidines to cancer cells or indirectly by stimulating angiogenesis, making systemic resources more accessible to cancer cells. The central goals of this project are (i) to identify the metabolic communication of ECs with other cell types in tumors, (ii) asses if endothelial PDNS promotes angiogenesis, and (iii) to seek novel metabolic targets in ECs, whose inhibition improves efficacy of PDNS inhibitors in vivo. To reach these goals, I will use an inducible mouse model to selectively disable PDNS in the endothelium. With this unique tool available at my host institute, I will integrate a state-of-the-art multi-omics and my expertise in metabolism to disentangle the network of metabolic communication using a powerful combination of spatially resolved single cell transcriptomics, metabolomics and functional genomics. My innovative approach will open a way for understanding the EC contribution to metabolic balance in tumors with a potential to identify new metabolic anti-cancer strategies.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics nucleotides
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.4.1.5 - Fostering brain circulation of researchers and excellence initiatives
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-02
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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.
252 50 Vestec
Czechia
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.