Project description
Uncovering the link between fibroblasts and cancer cachexia
Patients with pancreatic cancer often face more than just the tumour itself; they battle cachexia, a devastating condition that causes extreme weight and muscle loss. Despite its severity, cachexia remains without a cure. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CAFinCAC project aims to change that. By focusing on fibroblasts (non-cancerous cells in pancreatic tumours known to influence cancer growth), the project is uncovering how these cells may also drive cachexia. Using advanced mouse models and insights into how cancer mutations alter fibroblast behaviour, the project hopes to pinpoint new therapeutic targets. This research could bring relief to patients beyond pancreatic cancer, offering hope where none currently exists.
Objective
"Cancer-associated “cachexia” is a debilitating condition that causes patients to lose weight and muscle, which limits treatment options and worsens survival. Often patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a lethal and increasingly common malignancy, are affected by cachexia. Little is known about cachexia and no therapies exist. It is thus important to identify causes of cachexia to develop treatments.
Pancreatic tumours contain abundant non-cancerous cells, called ""fibroblasts"", that promote cancer progression. My host laboratory found various types of fibroblasts that promote pancreatic cancer in different ways. Moreover, they found that genetic mutations of the cancer cells change the fibroblasts. While lots is known about how fibroblasts promote cancer, we know little about how they affect cachexia. My research objective aims to identify features of pancreatic cancer fibroblasts that promote cachexia to guide the development of therapies. I first aim to determine how genetic mutations that alter the composition of pancreatic cancer fibroblasts affect cachexia (Objective 1). I will then test how pancreatic cancer-associated cachexia is affected when fibroblast composition is altered using mouse models that were recently engineered by my host laboratory (Objective 2). This work will highlight candidate therapeutic targets of cachexia.
Importantly, cachexia also affects patients with other cancers and diseases, and fibroblasts in these conditions share features with pancreatic cancer fibroblasts. Thus, my project could have a broad impact.
My research background in pancreatic cancer and the models of the host laboratory will guarantee the successful completion of this project. Working with the host supervisor, a world-leading expert on pancreatic cancer fibroblasts, along with the training program outlined, will have a long-lasting impact on my scientific career and will help me transition into an independent position as a cachexia-focused researcher."
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology pancreatic cancer
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.