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pH and Ion Transport in Pancreatic Cancer

Descripción del proyecto

Descubrimiento de un nuevo mecanismo de la oncogénesis pancreática

Los mecanismos moleculares que dan lugar al cáncer de páncreas siguen siendo esquivos y apenas se dispone de tratamientos específicos. La hipótesis de trabajo del equipo del proyecto pHioniC, financiado con fondos europeos, es que el páncreas tiene un entorno ácido singular que puede facilitar el inicio y la progresión del cáncer de páncreas. El jugo pancreático alcalino que se segrega para neutralizar el quimo ácido que llega del estómago induce cambios temporales en los niveles de pH que pueden impulsar las mutaciones oncogénicas. Los investigadores cartografiarán el contexto del pH pancreático e investigarán el mecanismo por el que puede influir en la progresión del cáncer de páncreas. Además, explorarán posibles intervenciones de pH para alterar la evolución del cáncer de páncreas.

Objetivo

pHioniC brings together highly synergistic expertise, research and training facilities to investigate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a frequent and aggressive cancer that is still incurable. The programme’s central hypothesis has a strong grounding in the physiology of the exocrine pancreas. Secretion of the alkaline pancreatic juice, normally associated with digestion, leads to acidifications of the pancreas stroma resulting in an acid adaptation of pancreatic cells. We are first to propose that this adaptation facilitates PDAC initiation and progression by selecting for more aggressive phenotypes in interplay with PDAC driver mutations. pHioniC will:
(i) develop models (e.g. pancreas-/PDAC-specific pH-indicator mouse) to map the pH landscape in the normal and diseased pancreas,
(ii) characterize the impact of the acidic microenvironment in PDAC development and
(iii) design bespoke approaches to the treatment of PDAC that exploit the unique physiology of the pancreas and utilize a combination of nanocarrier and antibody technology for targeting.
Thereby, pHioniC provides an innovative interdisciplinary and intersectoral training for ESRs at the forefront of oncological research.
pHioniC comprises excellent complementary basic-research, clinical, and in silico laboratories that provided the seed discoveries for this novel concept, and industrial partners with a track record in therapeutic and diagnostic development in oncology. This highly synergistic team combines the state-of-the-art research tools and translational opportunities needed to meet the most ambitious doctoral programmes. pHioniC training for ESRs covers the fields of ion transport, oncology, imaging, bioinformatics and antibody technology, and is complemented by extensive transferable skills and personalised training elements. pHioniC will establish a lasting contribution towards European doctoral training beyond the lifetime of the project.

Coordinador

UNIVERSITAET MUENSTER
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 252 788,40
Dirección
SCHLOSSPLATZ 2
48149 MUENSTER
Alemania

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Región
Nordrhein-Westfalen Münster Münster, Kreisfreie Stadt
Tipo de actividad
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 252 788,40

Participantes (11)

Socios (5)