Project description
Lipid signalling in the fatty-tissue metastatic niche of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer often spreads to adipose tissue, where fat cells are reprogrammed into cancer-associated adipocytes, which in turn fuel tumour growth. Malignant ascites – the build-up of a fluid rich in extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying bioactive cargo – further shapes the tumour microenvironment by mediating communication within it. While EV proteins and nucleic acids have been well-studied, their lipid content and its signalling with cancer cells remain poorly characterised. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Lipid-Ex project aims to address this gap holistically. The project plans to decode the lipid composition of adipose-derived EVs, lipid-mediated signalling mechanisms and the influence on tumour cell behaviour.
Objective
Ovarian cancer (OC) is among the most lethal gynaecological malignancies, with a distinct tendency to metastasize to the omentum, an adipose tissue depot that provides both a physical scaffold and a metabolic reservoir for tumour cells. In this metastatic niche, adipocytes undergo a phenotypic transformation into cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), characterized by enhanced lipid mobilization and inflammatory signalling, further contributing to tumour progression. At advanced stages, the tumour microenvironment (TME) is further remodelled by the accumulation of malignant ascites, a fluid enriched in soluble mediators and extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are pivotal mediators of intercellular communication within the TME. While their protein and nucleic acid cargo has been extensively characterized, the lipid composition of adipose tissue-derived EVs and its contribution to OC progression remain poorly understood. The Lipid-Ex project aims to address this gap by investigating how bioactive lipids within EVs influence tumour behaviour through three objectives: (1) characterizing the lipidomic profile of adipose tissue–derived EVs in OC, (2) investigating the functional effects of lipid-containing EVs on recipient tumour cells, and (3) dissecting the lipid-mediated signalling between adipose tissue and OC cells. Lipid-Ex hypothesizes that EVs from adipose tissue carry bioactive lipids that engage specific receptors on OC cells, enhancing intercellular communication and promoting tumour progression and metastasis. Furthermore, Lipid-Ex anticipate that cancer associated adipose tissue (CAAT)-derived EVs possess a distinct lipid signature that fosters a more aggressive TME. By providing the first comprehensive characterization of lipid species in adipose tissue–derived EVs and defining their functional impact, Lipid-Ex seeks to fulfil this gap in the tumour-adipose crosstalk.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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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)
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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
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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
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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35037 Marburg
Germany
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