Objective
One of the most challenging questions in breast cancer biology is to elucidate the origin of tumor heterogeneity and its contribution to therapy failure. Accumulating evidence suggests that the cell-of-origin, the cell that acquires the first oncogenic event, may define the molecular portrait of the resulting tumor. The fate of mammary Stem Cells (MSC) upon oncogenic perturbation has been poorly explored. Moreover, the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway regulates proliferation/differentiation of MSC and is found hyperactive in breast cancer cells, for example through mutations in PIK3CA, the gene coding for its catalytic subunit. I hypothesize that expression of PIK3CA mutations will perturb mammary tissue homeostasis, initiate mammary cancer and trigger formation of stem-like cancer cells. Using state-of-the-art in situ genetic lineage tracing, I will determine the fate of MSC (identified recently as Procr+ cells) after conditional expression of PIK3CA hotspot mutations (H1047R, E545K). I will also characterize early molecular events responsible for promotion of transformation (Aim 1). When tumors develop, I will determine tumor phenotype and eventual progression to metastasis (Aim 2). Consequently, this study will generate a new mouse model of breast cancer that will be useful for preclinical studies. A panel of PI3K inhibitors is currently under Clinical investigation and clinical reports have shown that the combination of standard chemotherapy with PI3K inhibitors reduces tumor growth but drug-resistance often occurs. To identify resistance mechanisms to PI3K inhibitors, I will generate in vivo models of drug-resistance (Aim 3). My studies will use both hypothesis driven and unbiased approaches, they should: 1. better elucidate transformation of MSC and the resulting tumor heterogeneity, 2. pinpoint novel targets/biomarkers. Ultimately this knew knowledge should result in better therapies for patients.
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 basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4051 Basel
Switzerland
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.