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.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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) ERC-2019-STG
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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
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