PLASTICAR_GI2-CESPU-2025 - Validation of MET plasticity-induced drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.
admin-cespu
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.
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.
Project area: