PLASTICAR_GI2-CESPU-2025 - Validation of MET plasticity-induced drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Principal Investigator: 
Cristina Pinto Ribeiro Xavier
Leader Institution: 
1H-TOXRUN - CESPU
Research Team: 
Maria Helena Vasconcelos Meehan, Albina Dolores Cardoso da Silva Castro Resende, Rúben Rodrigues, Ana Emanuela Cisne de Lima
Funding entity: 
CESPU
Budget: 
5.400 €
Period covered: 
01.09.2025 – 31.08.2026
Abstract: 

Unlocking Phenotypic Plasticity has been recently recognized as a Halmark of cancer. Metastatic dissemination in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been attributed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT has been associated with cell migration, proliferation and resistance to therapy. Importantly, it has been suggested that reversing the EMT to a mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) can improve PDAC treatment. This project intends to identify new molecular targets against metastatic drug-resistant pancreatic cancer cells, taking advantage of proteomic and ultrastructure cellular analysis, and of an in vivo study using resistant cells xenografted in mice.

Program: 
GI2-CESPU-2025