Objective Maintenance and drug resistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcioma (PDAC) depends on cancer cell intrinsic mechanisms and a stroma that supports tumor growth. Mouse models of human PDAC have provided important insights into the evolution of this highly lethal tumor, but there are no models that allow secondary genetic manipulation of autochthonous tumors, the tumor microenvironment or the metastatic host niche once the tumor has formed.We generated an inducible dual-recombinase system by combining Flp/frt and Cre/loxP. This novel PDAC model permits spatial and temporal control of gene expression enabling unbiased genetic approaches to study the role of tumor cell-autonomous and non-autonomous functions in endogenous cancers. This tool provides unparalleled access to the native biology of cancer cells and their hosting stroma, and rigorous genetic validation of candidate therapeutic targets. We performed tumor cell-autonomous and non-autonomous targeting, uncovered hallmarks of human multistep carcinogenesis, validated genetic tumor therapy, and showed that mast cells in the tumor microenvironment, which had been thought to be key oncogenic players, are in fact dispensable for tumor formation.In the proposed research program, we will 1) develop and further improve next-generation PDAC models, 2) deploy these systems to identify and target key features of PDAC maintenance in tumor cells and their microenvironment, and 3) discover mechanisms of treatment resistance. The application of cutting edge genetic engineering and screening technologies will allow us to address biological questions that could not be addressed before. The PanCaT project will open new horizons for the functional understanding of pancreatic cancer biology with a strong impact on clinical management and prognosis of PDAC patients. It will also produce a unique set of highly versatile and widely applicable genetic tools that will facilitate the study of PDAC at an organismal level. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistancemedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologycolorectal cancermedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologypancreatic cancer Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-CoG-2014 - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-CoG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution KLINIKUM RECHTS DER ISAR DER TECHNISCHEN UNIVERSITAT MUNCHEN Net EU contribution € 2 440 275,00 Address ISMANINGER STRASSE 22 81675 Muenchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 440 275,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all KLINIKUM RECHTS DER ISAR DER TECHNISCHEN UNIVERSITAT MUNCHEN Germany Net EU contribution € 2 440 275,00 Address ISMANINGER STRASSE 22 81675 Muenchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 440 275,00