TRANSCAN-3 ERA-NET: Sustained collaboration of national and regional programmes in cancer research

Trzeci konkurs w ramach programu TRANSCAN-3 (Joint Transnational  Call 2023) obejmuje finansowanie projektów z tematu: „Translational research on cancer epigenetics”.

Dofinansowanie można przeznaczyć na realizację badań przemysłowych i prac rozwojowych.

The expected outcome of the call is to improve the efficacy of current detection, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancers, through the development of novel approaches based on a better understanding of cancer epigenetics. The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to stimulate new partnerships between researchers and clinicians and support original, high-quality projects, with significant clinical impact.

In the context of translational research, this topic will comprise two general aims, each with several aims, which concur to the possible clinical applications. Proposals should cover one or several of the specific aims listed below and should be built from a sound hypothesis. Particular attention should be given to gender balance inclusion in order to intercept sex/gender differences and to consider the role of these differences in the addressed questions.

Aim 1) The role of epigenetics in cancer initiation and progression. These studies may aim to validate novel epigenetics-based biomarkers to improve detection, diagnosis, prognosis of cancers or response to therapies (using recently developed innovative approaches, multiomic approaches, single-cell analysis, patient-derived organoids, patient-derived xenografts, tumour samples collected from retrospective and/or prospective cohorts of patients or clinical trials).

Specific aim 1.1: To understand cancer initiation and progression by characterisation of the epigenetic landscape.

Specific aim 1.2: To define epigenetic features of cells in the tumour microenvironment that may promote tumour progression (e.g., immune cells, vascular cells, microbiota).

Specific aim 1.3: To study the role of epigenetic modifications as predictors of cell persistence or treatment resistance.

Specific aim 1.4: To validate epigenetic markers useful to improve early detection and diagnosis by exploring the correlation between epigenetics and clinical cancer manifestation.

Aim 2) Validation of new epigenetics-based therapeutic strategies to limit cancer progression, prevent relapse/recurrence or increase the efficiency or reduce toxicity of existing anti-cancer therapies.

Specific aim 2.1: To validate novel therapeutic targets (novel targets should be evaluated in translational studies with regard to their impact on treatment efficacy, safety and patient reported outcomes).

Specific aim 2.2: To study the potential use of epigenetic modulators to overcome resistance to anti-cancer therapies.

Specific aim 2.3: To develop novel epidrugs/therapeutic approaches, through phase I and II clinical trials (investigating combinations of available treatments, new therapeutics, new administration schemes, etc.) to improve safety and efficacy of treatments (objective responses; patient reported outcomes regarding morbidity and quality of life; …).

Specific aim 2.4: To develop novel theranostic approaches involving epigenetics of cancer. Approaches combining diagnostic (imaging technics) and targeted treatment to detect cancer cells and assess treatment efficacy (radionuclide, radiopharmaceuticals, nanoparticles, nanomaterial, …).

An essential pre-requisite for all proposals is the clinical relevance of the planned work.

We particularly welcome applications that propose novel interdisciplinary approaches from relevant fields of engineering, informatics, physics in addition to biology and medicine, provided that they are mindful of potential clinical need, patient and population impact.

Zgłoszenia chęci udziału w Konkursie należy przesłać na adres awn@wum.edu.pl w nieprzekraczalnym terminie do 23.06.2023 r.