Project STOPCa

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-Individual Fellowship EU, Horizon 2020‍

How does cancer affect the normal surrounding tissue? Do only cancer cells alter their microenvironment or also the microenvironment itself primes cancer cells to metastasize or remain confined in the tissue ?
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To elucidate the mechanisms of stromal contribution (microenvironment) to tumor growth we are studying the molecular transcriptome of tumor and tumor-supporting cells in patient-derived xenograft models and determine the reciprocal oncogenic signals during tumor-stroma interactions and their prognostic value in clinical specimens. We have defined the unique transcriptomic signature of an aggressive, androgen independent prostate cancer of bone metastasis. In comparison with an androgen dependent bone metastatic model, not only the tumor but also the stromal characteristics are widely different from the androgen independent model. Our data suggest that different tumors pose different stromal remodelling, which is indicative of tumor aggressiveness.

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