Project description
Metastasis: the role of the tumour niche
The tumour microenvironment is emerging as a key player in disease progression and response to treatment. No wonder scientists of the MetaMelNiche project believe the tumour niche also provides cues for metastasis, one of the hallmarks of cancer associated with low survival. The project is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme and aims to investigate the interactions between melanoma and niche cells and how these may change to alter cancer cell adhesion. Using both genetic and pharmacologic approaches, researchers hope to obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms implicated in cancer cell detachment, extravasation and colonisation of distant sites. Long-term, the results of the MetaMelNiche project will open possibilities for the identification of therapeutic targets.
Objective
Metastasis is the leading cause of death among patients with solid tumours including melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Despite tremendous progress in the development of effective targeted and immunotherapies, patient survival is still low. Understanding the mechanisms regulating the dissemination of cancer cells is critical to uncover new vulnerabilities of aggressive tumours. Whilst previous research has mostly focused on cell-intrinsic properties of cancer cells, the aim of this project is to define the impact of signals from the cancer cell niche on melanoma dissemination in vivo, with the long-term goal of discovering drug targets and developing new pharmacologic strategies against metastatic melanoma. Building upon previous results from the Ablain laboratory, I will elucidate and target the mechanism by which melanoma cells change their adhesion properties in response to local IGF1 signalling. Additionally, new interactions between melanoma cells and niche cells will be identified by scRNA-seq in human metastatic melanoma tissue obtained from the HCL Hospital, and recapitulated in reconstructed human skin systems and in zebrafish models. I will investigate the role of these interactions in the regulation of melanoma cell behaviour by combining genetic and pharmacologic manipulation with cutting-edge live-imaging in vitro and in vivo. This fellowship, through advanced interdisciplinary and intersectoral training and collaborations, will serve as a launchpad for reaching a position of academic independence, whilst facilitating a transfer of knowledge between myself, the CRCL and several collaborators, and addressing an unmet need for a better understanding of the behaviour of aggressive tumours. I will use this award to expand my skillset, build an international professional network, and establish myself as an expert in the field of cancer cell behaviour, producing high quality, cutting-edge research with strong translational potential.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
75794 Paris
France
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.