Project description
Force-based imaging for predicting cancer metastasis
Recent evidence suggests that aggressive metastatic cells exert forces on their surroundings, which could serve as an indicator of metastatic potential. Additionally, many solid tumours have elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), which hinders the efficacy of treatment. To address this issue, the EU-funded FORCE project aims to develop a non-invasive imaging technique to directly visualise these forces in vivo. The proposed magnetic resonance force (MRF) imaging method will measure and analyse the deformation state and biomechanical properties of the tumour and neighbouring tissue. Researchers will also determine if MRF data can predict metastatic spread, measure IFP in patients, and assess the feasibility of utilising shear forces to modulate the force environment of cancer cells.
Objective
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in EU member states with ~90% of all cancer deaths caused by metastatic spread. Despite its significance, measuring metastatic potential as well as potential indicators of therapy efficacy remain unmet clinical challenges. Recently, it has been demonstrated in vitro, that aggressive metastatic cells pull on their surroundings suggesting that metastatic potential could be gauged by measuring the forces exert by tumours. Furthermore, many solid tumours show a significantly increased interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) which prevents the efficient uptake of therapeutic agents. As a result, a reduction in IFP is recognized as a hallmark of therapeutic efficacy. Currently, there is no non-invasive modality that can directly image these forces in vivo.
Our objective is the non-invasive measurement of both IFP within tumours as well as the forces they exert on their surrounding environment. This will be used to predict a tumour’s metastatic potential and importantly, changes in these forces will be used to predict the therapeutic efficacy of drug therapy. To attain this goal, the biomechanical properties of the tumour and its neighbouring tissue will be measured via MR-elastography at various measured deformation states. Resultant images will be used to reconstruct images of the internal and external forces acting on the tumour. We call this novel imaging modality Magnetic Resonance Force (MRF) imaging .
We will calibrate MRF via cell cultures and pre-clinical models, and then test the method in breast, liver, and brain cancer patients. Thereby, we will investigate whether MRF data can predict metastatic spread and measure IFP in patients. We will also investigate the potential to non-invasively modulate the force environment of cancer cells via externally applied shear forces with the aim of impacting cell motility and proliferation. This can provide novel mechanism for anticancer therapeutic agents via mechanotransduction.
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RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
WC2R 2LS London
United Kingdom
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Participants (19)
SW7 3RP London
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8092 Zuerich
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10117 Berlin
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75654 Paris
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75006 Paris
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75012 Paris
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4051 Basel
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
4031 Basel
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0313 Oslo
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
0450 Oslo
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04109 Leipzig
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Participation ended
95200 Sarcelles
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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TN23 6NF Ashford
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
5684 PC Best
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94250 GENTILLY
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2052 Sydney
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
2031 Randwick
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02115 BOSTON MA
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