Epigenetic regulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a therapeutic option for the progression of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Sören Torge Mees
• Subject Area: General and Visceral Surgery
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 225212315

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis due to its early metastasis. The metastatic process is divided into two steps: 1) invasion with dissemination and 2) establishment of a colony at the metastatic site. During invasion, the epithelially differentiated cells change their morphology and gene expression patterns to more closely resemble mesenchymal cells -- a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is an important element for the metastatic process. The miR-200-family is known to inhibit EMT due to ZEB1 repression and to help maintain the epithelial phenotype of cells, thus playing a protective role. In contrast, studies have shown an overexpression of miR-200 during the progression of PDAC. Therefore, the aim of our study is to evaluate the role of the miR-200-family in the progression and the metastatic process of PDAC with special focus on its therapeutic potential.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Jörg Haier