Defining functional cellular niches in the tumor microenvironment as targets of precision medicine

The proposed study is part of our ongoing efforts to map the influence of the tumor microenvironment on malignant phenotypes with the premise that decisive treatment benefit can only be achieved by targeting multiple, but distinct, cell types and pathways that collectively sustain the growth of tumors.

Our work is divided in three parts, each focusing on a separate stromal cell type with a comprehensive approach integrating basic science, pre-clinical studies and translational efforts.

Firstly, we will explore the functional heterogeneity in breast cancer-associated fibroblasts by creating a high-resolution cellular atlas.

Our efforts so far have already resulted in the implementation of a clinical trial testing an original treatment strategy for triple-negative breast cancer patients. Secondly, we will explore a role for pericytes in the regulation of brain tumor invasion and growth.

Thirdly, we will delineate contrasting effects of TGF-ß signaling in the angiogenic tumor vasculature at the crossroads of tumor immunity.

Importantly, by the use of state-of-the-art technologies and well-characterized patient cohorts, the proposed research will generate knowledge about the interdependent way cells relate to each other within a tumor, which will provide valuable insights for the development of new cancer treatments and guide the design of future clinical studies.