Project description
Role and therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles in cancer
Cells communicate with each other through extracellular vesicles, which carry proteins, lipids and RNA. Emerging evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles also play a role in cancer cell proliferation, migration and metastasis. The aim of the EU-funded EVIL project is to investigate the tumour-promoting mechanisms of extracellular vesicles in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a haematological malignancy of B lymphocytes. Researchers will examine the uptake of extracellular vesicles by target cells and study the functional outcome of blocking the process via inhibitors. Particular focus will be given to the contribution of extracellular vesicles to immune system evasion by CLL as well as their therapeutic potential.
Objective
The proposed program, to be developed by Dr Pablo Morande, aims at investigating interactions between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B-cells and their microenvironment, with a focus on small extracellular vesicles (sEV). CLL is the most frequent hematological malignancy of the adult in Europe. Despite recent advances in the standard of care, there is still no curative therapeutic option. Small EV represent an important part of the cell-to-cell communication. They play a key role in promoting cancer by influencing multiple tumor-related functions like cellular proliferation, migration, and metastasis; and can also impair an efficient anti-tumor immune response. In this proposal, Dr Morande will study the mechanisms underlying sEV-induced cellular modifications in vivo in the context CLL, using transgenic murine models and patient samples. The host group has proved experience in the field of sEV in cancer and recently deepened into the role of sEV in leukemia development in vivo. The candidate will dissect the mechanisms enabling sEV uptake in various types of target cells in vivo, and test inhibitors or neutralizing antibodies to block the pro-tumoral role of sEV in leukemic mice. He will study the functional impact of sEV on the immune system leading to tumor evasion, focusing on immune checkpoint ligands, and design bioengineered sEV to test them as immunotherapy in preclinical models. Finally, he will focus on sEV understudied cargoes such as metabolites by investigating their occurrence on sEV and the consequences on metabolic activity of target cells, to reveal new directions for the development of innovative therapies. The development of the present proposal will enable Dr Morande to achieve a broad range of new technical and management skills through a variety of multidisciplinary training programs. This will represent a key step for his final objective to become an independent scientist.
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 basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology leukemia
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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.1.3. - 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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2020
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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.
1445 Strassen
Luxembourg
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.