Project description
Identification of biomarkers for cancer aggressiveness
Tumours in breast cancer have been classified into several subtypes to determine patient prognosis and the appropriate treatment. Among the underlying causes of resistance to treatment and cancer relapse is the heterogeneity of tumours. In most cancers, tumours are composed of a heterogeneous mass of cells with distinct characteristics. The ERC-funded PROTEOMICAN project will study the tumour heterogeneity in breast cancer using the latest proteomic technologies. The genome-scale proteomic profiling of tumour regions with diverse histopathology will be followed by functional investigation to determine the tumorigenic potential of cells’ sub-populations. The identification of biomarkers for tumour aggressiveness in serum samples could be translated into new drugs that overcome the development of treatment resistance.
Objective
"In the proposed research we will explore the functional proteomic diversity of histologically-defined regions within human breast tumors, aiming to identify novel protein biomarkers of tumor aggressiveness. Once identified, these proteins will serve as potent diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Towards this aim we will perform genome-scale proteomic profiling on tumor regions displaying diverse histopathology. This will be followed by functional investigation of these cancer cell sub-populations to determine their tumorigenic potential, and search for microparticle-based proteomic biomarkers from serum samples towards identification of cancer aggressiveness in blood tests.
Analysis of the proteomic diversity holds a promise to reveal yet unidentified regulators of the tumorigenic phenotype as quantitative protein profiling is expected to most faithfully predict cellular phenotypes. This will be accomplished using the 'super-SILAC' technology, which I developed during my post-doctoral research. Using this technology, we identified over 12,000 proteins in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded breast cancer tumors. In the current project we will take one large step further, namely, microdissect and analyze selected regions in breast tumors based on local histopathological characteristics, such as the expression of known markers, cancer cell density, the vicinity to blood vessels and to the tumor invasive front. This ""topological map"" of the proteome will be followed by functional in vitro and in vivo studies, directly probing the aggressiveness of these cell populations, manifested by an accelerated proliferation and invasive/metastatic capacity. Finally, proteins associated with tumor aggressiveness will serve as blood-based biomarkers for predicting the tumorigenic phenotype using non-invasive tests. This work will set the basis for quantitative probing of tumor heterogeneity, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective therapy.
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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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
- engineering and technology medical engineering medical laboratory technology diagnostic technologies
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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-2014-STG
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69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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