Project description
Cancer evolution: the role of genetics and microenvironment
Clear cell renal cell cancer (ccRCC) is the most frequent subtype of kidney tumour characterised by the loss of the short arm of chromosome 3 which harbours tumour-suppressor genes. Scientists of the EU-funded RCC_Evo project are working to understand how ccRCC genotypes affect tumour evolution and heterogeneity and how they are linked to the tumour microenvironment. Using a variety of models such as organoids and patient-derived xenografts, the project aims to delineate the function of genetic driver events in ccRCC and how they can be exploited for clinical course prediction. The generated mechanistic insight into tumour biology and progression has the potential to unveil novel therapeutic targets for ccRCC.
Objective
Kidney cancer is among the 10 most frequently diagnosed cancers and its incidence is rising. Clear cell Renal Cell Cancer (ccRCC) is the most common subtype and is characterized by early 3p loss. The deleted region on chromosome 3p harbours a number of tumour suppressor genes namely VHL, PBRM1, SETD2 and BAP1, which are frequently mutated subsequent to 3p loss. TRACERx Renal is a multi-center, longitudinal cohort study, which studies tumour evolution and intratumoural heterogeneity through multi-region profiling of primary tumours. Interim findings have defined 7 evolutionary subtypes. I will model the predictability and repeatability of these evolutionary trajectories in patient-derived tumour organoids (PDO), in patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and in gene-edited human proximal tubule cells (HPTC). Preliminary evidence suggests that ccRCC genotypes are associated with specific TME conditions. I will develop PDO models in which I will co-culture tumour cells with tumour infiltrating leucocytes and cancer associated fibroblasts. I will refine the mutational ordering and clonal resolution in selected cases of the TRACERx Renal Study by micro-biopsy profiling. Predictability of evolutionary trajectories will then be addressed through repeated passaging of tumour PDOs followed by targeted panel sequencing. The function of metastatic driver events will be characterised in PDX. The repeatability of the evolutionary trajectories will be studied through experimental manipulation of the genotype sequence in HPTCs. Co-culture PDOs will be used to define response to immune checkpoint inhibition. The results will allow a personalized prediction of the clinical course of ccRCC and the response to immune checkpoint inhibition. I will identify mechanisms of tumour progression and the involvement of the TME. This will result in the identification of previously unknown targetable weaknesses in ccRCC.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2019
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
NW1 1AT London
United Kingdom
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.