Project description
Targeting cancer through epigenetics
New therapies for cancer depend on understanding the genes that control cell behaviour. However, many mechanisms remain hidden. Mutations in KMT2D, KMT2C and KDM6A – key members of the COMPASS-like complex – are frequent in cancers and aged epithelial cells, affecting differentiation, tissue homeostasis and tumour progression. With this in mind, the ERC-funded COMPASS project will use single-cell lineage tracing, genomics, epigenomics, CRISPR-based gene editing and pharmacologic interventions to study how these mutations influence cell states, tumour initiation, heterogeneity and metastasis in skin and bladder cancers. Genome-wide CRISPR screens will identify synthetic lethal genes, revealing new vulnerabilities in cancer cells. The project’s goal is to guide the development of targeted therapies and deepen our understanding of tumour biology.
Objective
Epigenetic features are commonly dysregulated in cancer and one of the surprising findings from the sequencing of cancer genomes is the high rate of alterations in many epigenetic regulators. KMT2D/MLL4, KMT2C/MLL3 and KDM6A/UTX are among the most frequently mutated genes in a wide range of cancers and in normal aged epithelial cells. Interestingly, these three genes are components of the same complex, COMPASS-like complex that regulate enhancer activity and regulate gene expression in a lineage specific manner. The deletion of members of the COMPASS-like complex has been associated with altered differentiation, aging and tumorigenesis. However, the precise mechanisms by which mutations in these genes impact cell states during tissue homeostasis, tumour initiation, tumour heterogeneity and metastasis, remain poorly understood. To address these important questions, we will use multidisciplinary approaches that will combine in vivo single cell lineage tracing, single-cell genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics, in vivo CRISPR-based gene editing, together with genetic and pharmacologic perturbations, to define in a comprehensive and integrated manner the impact of Kmt2d, Kmt2c and Kdm6a deletion on cell state dynamics during homeostasis, regeneration, early steps of tumour initiation, tumour heterogeneity and metastasis in skin squamous cell carcinoma and bladder cancer. Moreover, we will perform genome wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen to identify the synthetically lethal genes in KMT2D, KMT2C and KDM6A mutated cancer cells to uncover new tumour vulnerabilities that can be pharmacologically targeted.
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 medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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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.
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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.
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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1050 BRUXELLES
Belgium
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