Objective
Disseminated tumour cells (DTC) occur at very low numbers and can be detected using sensitive immunostaining and PCR methods. However, sensitivity and in particular specificity of this approach need to be improved. Combining the expertise of 11 academic pa rtners with long-term expertise in micrometastasis research the DISCOUNT-project will establish an improved platform for DTC detection with an increased sensitivity and - in particular - with a largely improved specificity. Besides DTC detection also analy sis of circulating tumour DNA and RNA, and expression profiling of tumours are being explored for assessment of minimal disease. We will focus on epithelial tumours as the most common types of solid tumours in the EU, investigating the carcinoma types that display different modes of metastatic spread. Dissemination into regional lymph nodes will be analyzed as well as haematogeneous dissemination of DTC via the blood circulation, using bone marrow as an important indicator organ to which epithelial tumour c ells home. Using genomics-based approaches, novel diagnostic target molecules will be identified and validated in functional models. We will complement immunocytochemical DTC detection by additional genotypic and phenotypic markers relevant for metastatic progression. To further increase diagnostic precision we will analyze whether this improved platform can be combined with analysis of tumour characteristics that were revaled by the microarray analysis, and with evaluation of circulating tumour-associated DNA or RNA. Besides the focus on improvement of DTC-based diagnostic platforms, it is important to realize that these cells are the target cells for adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In innovative DTC models, the efficacy of DTC treatment will there-fore be analyzed and potential improvements studied. The translation of scientific knowledge into commerical products will be ensured by 3 SMEs with unique technological capabilities.
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 lung cancer
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology colorectal cancer
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology head and neck cancer
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2004-LIFESCIHEALTH-5
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
HAMBURG
Germany
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.