Objective Translational research in cancer is one of the thematic priorities within FP7 Health Investigation Programme. Breast cancer is the most frequent tumour type in European women. 20-25% of breast carcinomas express myoepithelial markers, thus showing the basal-like phenotype. Basal-like tumours are typically high-grade, aggressive cancers with poor prognosis. Since basal-like phenotype closely resembles that of breast pluripotent stem cells, it has been suggested that these tumours may originate from the transformation of stem cells that have undergone a block in their differentiation program. The aim of this project is to assess the capacity of basal cells to differentiate to fully functional myoepithelial cells in an attempt to uncover the molecular mechanisms regulating the cell fate decisions made by normal and cancer breast stem cells that drive them to full versus incomplete myoepithelial differentiation. To this end, cell subpopulations with bi-lineage progenitor features will be isolated from basal-like (normal and tumourigenic) breast cell lines and their ability to conduct complete myoepithelial differentiation will be tested. The differentiation process will be further characterized by gene expression profiling in order to identify novel candidate genes involved in this process. The results obtained will be translated to the study of human breast cancer by two complementary approaches: (i) in silico analysis of gene expression data from basal-like tumours, (ii) immunohistochemical studies in normal and tumour breast samples. Finally, in vitro and in vivo functional studies will be performed to further define the role of candidate genes in myoepithelial differentiation. As cancer stem cells are suggested to be resistant to chemotherapy and responsible for tumour recurrence, the possibility to differentiate basal (stem cell-like) carcinoma cells into myoepithelial cells would open new potential avenues for the therapy of these aggressive cancers. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybreast cancermedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyskin cancerbasal cells Keywords Basal-like tumours Breast cancer Cell biology Differentiation Myoepithelial cells Oncology Stem cells Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator INSTITUTE OF CANCER RESEARCH: THE ROYAL CANCER HOSPITAL LBG EU contribution € 169 390,93 Address OLD BROMPTON ROAD 123 SW7 3RP London United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Binoo Rastogi (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data