The Tumor Microenvironment: Cross-talk between cancer cells and non-cancer cells

该项目的目的是为了更好地了解肿瘤组织中癌细胞和非癌细胞之间的串扰。我们假设这些相互作用是完成肿瘤特征所必需的，包括免疫逃避、生长因子独立性/细胞凋亡抵抗、血管生成和运动。基因改变的恶性细胞和微环境的支持细胞之间的对话对于理解癌症的发病机制至关重要，从长远来看，对于开发新的、有效的治疗方法至关重要。具体来说，癌细胞与非恶性细胞的相互作用对表型和相互作用细胞的功能的影响将被解决。将研究细胞间通讯在肿瘤分化过程中的作用，从而激活经典和新出现的癌细胞特征（如诱导免疫逃避甚至免疫细胞的肿瘤支持功能）。为了解决这些问题，包括肿瘤微环境的组成、结构和功能，使用了几种体外方法和动物模型，这需要一种涵盖医学和自然科学的高度跨学科的方法。在这一提案中，我们计划通过分配结构化的教育项目，支持基础和转化研究人员在这一研究领域的密切合作。这些措施包括技术培训和软技能研讨会，并提供一个平台，促进项目之间的材料和技术交流，以直接改善研究项目。入选项目及其学生可获得参加国内或国际会议的旅费补助。奖学金应该允许学生到国外实习，例如学习有助于博士论文写作的新技术。我们期望协同效应不仅支持有竞争力的高质量博士和医学博士论文，而且促进基础科学家和临床医生之间的互动，从而提高对肿瘤微环境的生物学理解。

Aim of this project is to contribute to a better understanding of the cross-talk between cancer cells and non-cancer cells within the tumor tissue. We hypothesize that these interactions are required to accomplish tumor hallmarks including immune evasion, growth factor independence/apoptosis resistance, angiogenesis and motility. The dialogue between the genetically altered malignant cells and the supporting cells of the microenvironment are critical to understanding cancer pathogenesis and - on the long run - to the development of novel, effective therapies.Specifically, the impact of the interaction of cancer cells with non-malignant cells on the phenotype and the functions of the interacting cells will be addressed. The role of cell-cell communication for the differentiation of the tumor towards activation of programs that allow the achievements of classical and emerging cancer cell hallmarks (such as the induction of immune evasion or even tumor-supportive functions of immune cells) will be investigated. To tackle these questions including the composition, structure and function of the tumor microenvironment several in vitro approaches and animal models are used, which requires an highly interdisciplinary approach covering the medical and natural sciences. Within this proposal we plan to support a close collaboration for basic and translational orientated researchers within this research area especially through the allocation of a structured educational program. The measurements include technical trainings and soft skill workshops, and provide a platform to facilitate the exchange of material and techniques between the projects to improve research projects directly. Selected projects and their students may be supported with travel grants to national/international meetings or conferences. A scholarship opportunity should allow internships abroad e.g. to learn novel techniques that foster the progress of a doctoral thesis. We expect synergisms not only supporting competitive high quality PhD and MD dissertations but also facilitating the interactions between basic scientists and clinicians, resulting in an improved biological understanding of the tumor microenvironment.