Project description
The role of plasma cells in breast cancer
Immune cells that infiltrate the tumour microenvironment represent promising therapeutic targets against cancer. However, immunotherapy efforts have mainly focussed on targeting T cells with mixed results. The EU-funded PCinBC project will concentrate on tumour-infiltrating plasma cells, antibody-producing B cells that have been associated with positive prognosis in cancer. Researchers will study the heterogeneity and spatial distribution of plasma cells in breast cancer and identify key molecules responsible for their interaction with the tumour stroma. Results will help unveil the role of plasma cells in tumour immunity, opening avenues for novel immunotherapies.
Objective
During the last decade, the ability to treat cancer by targeting the immune system has revolutionized cancer care, but many patients still fail to respond to current immunotherapies, which mainly target T cells. Besides T cells, the tumor microenvironment is home to many other immune cells; however, we are still unable to accurately predict and target the functions of most tumor-infiltrating immune cells, particularly in human cancer. These cells and their tumor-associated functions represent an untapped reservoir of therapeutic targets. Plasma cells (PC), which are antibody-producing cells derived from B cells, frequently infiltrate solid tumors and their presence associates with positive prognosis across cancer types; yet, our knowledge of tumor-infiltrating PC remains limited. The goal of this project is two-fold: first, I aim to use single cell RNA-seq coupled with spatial transcriptomics (developed by the host lab) to define the heterogeneity and spatial distribution of PC (and their subsets) relative to other cells/histological features in patient breast tumors. PC receptor expression and survival factors will be mapped to generate a PC-tumor stroma 'interactome', which should facilitate defining potential vantage points for therapy. Second, I aim to define the cellular age of tumor-infiltrating PC, since knowing how cells are replaced in a tissue could be highly relevant to both uncover fundamental cell turnover mechanisms and to define new therapeutic avenues. The combination of skillsets between the applicant (tumor immunology) and the host lab (spatial transcriptomics and carbon dating, the latter which uniquely can be used to determine cellular lifespan in humans) presents a unique opportunity for the feasibility and knowledge exchange involved in performing this work. This study’s results could help clarify fundamental questions regarding the biology of tumor-infiltrating plasma cells and help uncover novel anticancer therapeutic targets.
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 clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2018
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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.
171 77 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
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.