Project description
Intercepting precancerous breast changes to prevent cancer
Although advances in cancer treatments have improved clinical outcomes, late-stage cancers remain difficult to cure. This highlights the need for early intervention or prevention strategies especially in high-risk individuals. The ERC-funded PreBRCATx project focuses on breast cancer and aims to investigate and identify the earliest cellular changes caused by mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 genes. Mutations in these genes are associated with a high risk of developing breast cancer due to increased genomic instability. Researchers will combine genomics methods and different models to test preventive drugs and develop a vaccine in preclinical models. Ultimately, the project aims to initiate clinical prevention trials and establish a blueprint for preventing hereditary cancers.
Objective
In this programme, we will leverage our understanding of the cellular and molecular changes that precede cancer in high-risk individuals to intercept and prevent the development of the disease. Despite significant advances in immune and targeted therapies, the molecular and cellular complexity of late-stage tumours continues to pose a major barrier to developing a definitive “cancer cure”. This underscores the urgency of identifying those at risk and intervening prophylactically to prevent tumour development. Early detection and interception can significantly enhance the long-term survival of patients. Over the past decade, we have utilised a combination of single-cell genomics, mouse models, and primary human samples to map cellular changes in the breast during homeostasis and tumour initiation. Building on this expertise, we aim to deepen our understanding of precancerous changes driven by BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 mutations, test the efficacy of approved and nearly approved drugs, and develop and test a preventative vaccine in pre-clinical models for these mutations. The PreBRCATx integrated approach is designed to deliver significant impacts for individuals at high risk of breast cancer and, if successful, could serve as a model for other types of hereditary cancers in the future. We aim to gather sufficient evidence to initiate clinical prevention trials, focusing on women with pathological variants of BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 and we anticipate setting up a window of opportunity trial by the end of the programme. The programme will also generate new tools, resources, and data, empowering others in the breast cancer field and benefiting researchers of other solid cancers. Early detection and prevention of cancer could significantly mitigate the socioeconomic impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses and treatments, aligning with the ambitions of policymakers and healthcare providers across Europe to promote a healthier and longer life.
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 basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) ERC-2024-ADG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
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.