Project description
Metabolic imaging in cancer diagnostics
Cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring rely on molecular imaging methods which, however, cannot fully portray disease heterogeneity. To address this problem, the EU-funded CHyMERA project proposes to develop a novel technology that can image cancer phenotypes. The approach measures the kinetics of glucose flux through different metabolic pathways under different tumour microenvironment conditions and their association with cell proliferation. The CHyMERA methodology has a strong potential for clinical translation and is expected to improve specificity to cancer diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response.
Objective
Cancer heterogeneity is reflected in the multitude of phenotypes found in the clinic, with different proliferation statuses and metastatic potentials. These features cannot be assessed with the molecular imaging methods commonly available for diagnosis and monitoring. The main goal of this proposal is to develop a molecular imaging methodology based on endogenous contrast – CHyMERA – and demonstrate its feasibility to image hotspot areas of active proliferation and metastatic potential. The approach is based on the concept of cancer metabolic plasticity, does not require contrast agents or radioactive tracers, and should ultimately provide more specificity to cancer diagnosis and treatment planning than other imaging methods currently available. We propose to use animal models of human cancer, a glucose-enhanced imaging method, and an objective analysis of regional metabolic responses to controlled, reversible changes in the tumour microenvironment (perturbations), such as transient hypoxia. Specifically, we will (i) develop and validate CHyMERA at ultra-high magnetic fields, to monitor the metabolic kinetics of glucose and lactate in the tumour microenvironment. This methodology will be (ii) applied in vivo to two immunocompetent mouse model of GBM (allograft and genetically engineered models), to image vascular permeability/perfusion and hotspots of glioma proliferation. Finally, we will (iii) carry out a pilot study with two isogenic mouse models breast of cancer, metastatic and non-metastatic, to generate hotspots maps of proliferation and metastatic potential. All in vivo results will be validated post-mortem by immunohistochemistry. If successful, this methodology has a strong potential for clinical translational, which the host institution is ideally suited to test.
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.
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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-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.
1400-038 LISBOA
Portugal
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.