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Redefining the esophageal stem cell niche – towards targeting of squamous cell carcinoma

Project description

The role of the niche in oesophageal cancer

Most tissues contain a population of stem–progenitor cells responsible for regeneration and homeostasis. The phenotype and function of these cells rely largely on the interaction with the microenvironment or niche where they reside. The scope of the EU-funded TroyCAN project is to shed further light on the role of the niche in the development of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Researchers are interested to map the niche in the oesophageal epithelium and delineate its involvement in the functional heterogeneity of the oesophageal progenitor population. Project results will help identify new oncogenic transformation players and design novel anti-cancer strategies.

Objective

Cancer develops from mutations in stem and progenitor cells. Patients suffering from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are commonly treated by a combination of chemotherapy and esophagectomy, a debilitating surgical procedure. My group have identified heterogeneity within the esophageal progenitor population in homeostasis which is likely to have implications for the development of squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus, lead to targeted therapeutic strategies and hopefully reduce the need for surgical intervention. Stem and progenitor cells reside in a complex microenvironment, or niche, that is instructive in determining cell fate during homeostasis and tumor initiation. In the morphologically uniform esophageal epithelium, the presence of progenitor subpopulations cells as well as local microenvironmental niches is not evident. My group aim to not only delineate the functional heterogeneity within the esophageal progenitor population during homeostasis and cancer development, but also map out and eventually target the stromal niche cells driving this phenotypic epithelial heterogeneity. Furthermore, we will use a clinically relevant platform to screen for druggable targets with the ability to eliminate esophageal tumor initiating cells. The incidence of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas is dramatically increasing, and delineation of the esophageal stem cell niche is a vital first step towards identifying new combined therapeutic strategies directed at eliminating this cancer.

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Topic(s)

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ERC-STG - Starting Grant

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG

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Host institution

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 483 389,00
Address
NOBELS VAG 5
171 77 STOCKHOLM
Sweden

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Region
Östra Sverige Stockholm Stockholms län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 1 483 389,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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