SFB 832:  Molecular Basis and Modulation of Cellular Interactions in the Tumour Microenvironment

Subject Area Medicine
Biology
Term from 2009 to 2014
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 75630492
 

Project Description

There is increasing evidence that many of the traits of cancer could not be traced back to individual cancer cells and the genes they carry. Recently it turned up that cancer is a disease of complex tissues called tumours. This concept implies that tumour growth is not determined only by malignant cancer cells, but also by the tumour microenvironment. The microenvironment consists of different non-cancer cells, extracellular matrix and soluble molecules. These components create a milieu that supports the survival of cancer cells and is responsible for the formation of the clinically visible tumour.
Cell types found in the microenvironment of tumours include endothelial cells and their precursors, pericytes, smooth-muscle cells, fibroblasts of various phenotypes and blood cells. Among the blood cells are the cells of the immune system including granulocytes, mast cells, lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells such as macrophages or dendritic cells, destined for the recognition and elimination of tumour cells in healthy organisms.
In contrast to a huge body of knowledge on the mostly genetic events that lead to the immortalisation and malignant transformation of the cancer cells, the precise molecular mechanisms shaping the tumour microenvironment are poorly understood. This applies also to the missing immunological recognition and rejection of the tumour tissue through the immune cells. This Collaborative Research Centre aims to make a significant contribution to this arising field by elucidating some key mechanisms that define the molecular interactions of cancer cells with their microenvironment. The Collaborative Research Centre will focus on two major areas and examine: (1) the molecular changes occurring in cell architecture, differentiation and motility within the tumour tissue in comparison to the healthy tissue; (2) the interactions and communication among the cells within the tumour microenvironment ("molecular dialogue") that shapes the formation of a clinically apparent tumour.
Moreover, in experiments focussing on the immunological composition of the microenvironment, the role of inflammatory processes for carcinogenesis will be evaluated. As a long-term perspective, the Collaborative Research Centre proposal is aimed at providing novel targets, which hold great promise for the development of novel therapeutics.
DFG Programme Collaborative Research Centres

Completed projects

Applicant Institution Universität zu Köln
Participating University Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Participating Institution Max-Planck-Institut für Stoffwechselforschung
Spokesperson Professor Dr. Michael Hallek