Project description
Using RNA biomarkers to predict immunotherapy response in breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer lacks the molecular targets exploited by standard therapies, making it the most difficult breast cancer subtype to treat. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise, but response rates vary considerably and reliable predictive biomarkers are lacking. Long non-coding RNAs are a class of regulatory molecules that influence immune pathways that have emerged as potential indicators of immunotherapy sensitivity. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Triple-R project aims to identify and characterise long non-coding RNA biomarkers predictive of immunotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers will analyse tumour tissue and liquid biopsies to uncover RNA signatures linked to treatment sensitivity. Project results are expected to advance precision oncology strategies for this aggressive cancer subtype.
Objective
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and lethal subtype of breast cancer, characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2 expression. This lack of molecular targets limits treatment options and highlights the urgent need of novel therapeutic strategies. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown promise in early-stage TNBC, response rates remain variable and difficult to predict. Recent studies have implicated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as key regulators of immune-related pathways, suggesting their potential as modulators of immunotherapy sensitivity.
The Triple-R project aims to identify and functionally characterize lncRNA-based biomarkers predictive of response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in early TNBC. The specific objectives to achieved this are: 1) To compare lncRNA expression profiles, integrating RNA-sequencing data from tumour tissue and liquid biopsy samples —including exosomes, circulating tumour cells and cell-free RNA— collected from patients undergoing treatment. 2) To infer lncRNA expression from cell-free DNA fragmentomics. 3) To characterize the functional role of selected lncRNAs through CRISPR-based knockdown or overexpression in selected TNBC cell lines under ICIs treatment, assessing the impact on cell proliferation and relative fitness. Furthermore, the project will benefit from an international collaboration (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia), with complementary results from the BCT 1702-CHARIOT clinical trial that will enhance the robustness and translational relevance of the findings.
The proposal introduces innovative approaches to advance precision oncology, focusing on gene expression profiling via liquid biopsy. By identifying novel potential biomarkers and lncRNA signatures linked to immunotherapy sensitivity, it aims to improve patient stratification and enable more effective, personalized treatment strategies for TNBC.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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.
29590 MALAGA
Spain
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.