Tumor Microenvironment/Angiogenesis Training Grant

描述(由申请人提供)：越来越多的证据表明，肿瘤微环境对癌症的发生和发展至关重要。肿瘤微环境包括肿瘤细胞、肌成纤维细胞、星状细胞、瘤周神经细胞、内皮细胞、免疫细胞和内分泌细胞等多种成分，以及细胞外基质等细胞外成分。虽然人们认识到这些成分是肿瘤发生的媒介，但这些成分之间复杂的相互作用却知之甚少。为了确定改善癌症治疗以及风险管理和预防的潜在靶点，迫切需要研究原发肿瘤部位和器官中肿瘤微环境相互作用的机制，这些部位是转移灶的常见部位。因此，我们认为，显然需要新的计划来培训研究生和研究生水平的个人，以理解和有效地研究有助于将正常基质细胞转化为导致肿瘤进展和转移的活跃的肿瘤微环境的复杂过程。 这项提案要求每年资助8名受训人员(2名博士后，6名博士后)，为期5年。该计划的目标是为个人提供综合培训，这些人将进行迫切需要的研究，调查导致肿瘤起始、进展、转移和复发的肿瘤微环境成分的分子和细胞异常。该计划基于这样的理念，即在细胞生物学、血管细胞生物学、细胞外基质生物学、癌症遗传学、免疫学和临床癌症研究领域拥有丰富指导和经验的研究人员的共同努力，将促进在癌症形成的间质和上皮功能障碍领域取得的具有临床相关性的重大进展。 肿瘤微环境/血管生成(TMA)培训计划涉及25名正式教职员工，他们都拥有TMA相关领域的外部支持计划和专业知识。穆霍帕迪耶博士将担任该项目的负责人。他是一位经验丰富的导师和培训项目负责人。他将得到马克·麦克尼文博士的协助，他以细胞生物学方面的专业知识而闻名世界，并拥有出色的训练记录。 相关性：尽管在癌症的诊断和治疗方面取得了巨大的进步，但我们距离实现“根除癌症”的最佳目标还很遥远。这一培训计划将为下一代癌症研究人员提供一套完整的技能，以了解肿瘤细胞及其周围细胞的复杂相互作用。这些知识将用于改进癌症的预防和治疗方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Accumulating evidence has shown that the tumor microenvironment is critically important for the initiation and progression of cancer. The tumor microenvironment consists of several components including tumor cells, myofibroblasts, stellate cells, peritumor nerve cells, endothelial cells, immune cells and endocrine cells, as well as extracellular components such as the extracellular matrix. While it is recognized that these components are mediators of tumorigenesis, the complex interplay of these components is poorly understood. Research efforts to investigate the mechanisms of tumor microenvironment interactions in the primary tumor site and organs that are common sites of metastatic lesions are critically needed in order to identify potential targets for improved cancer treatment, as well as risk management and prevention. Hence, we believe that there is a clear need for new programs to train individuals at the graduate as well as the postgraduate levels to understand and efficiently investigate the complex processes that contribute to the conversion of normal stromal cells to an active tumor microenvironment that leads to tumor progression and metastasis. This proposal requests funding to support is 8 trainees (2 predoctoral, 6 postdoctoral) each year for 5 years The program objective is to provide integrated training to individuals who will conduct critically needed research investigating the molecular and cellular anomalies of tumor microenvironment components that result in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and relapse. The program is based on the idea that major progress, of clinical relevance, in the area of stromal and epithelial dysfunction of cancer formation will be enhanced by a concerted effort of investigators who have had substantial mentoring and experience in the fields of cell biology, vascular cell biology, extracellular matrix biology, cancer genetics, immunology, and clinical cancer research. The Tumor Microenvironment/Angiogenesis (TMA) Training Program involves 25 full faculty members, all of whom have extramurally supported programs and expertise in TMA-related areas. Dr. Mukhopadhyay will serve as director of the program. He is an experienced mentor and training program leader. He will be assisted by Dr. Mark McNiven, who is known world-wide for his expertise in cell biology and he has an outstanding training record. RELEVANCE: Despite the tremendous advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, we are far from achieving our optimal goal to "eradicate cancer." This training program will program will provide the next generation of cancer researchers with an integrated set of skills needed to understand the complex interactions of tumor cells and the cells surrounding them. This knowledge will be used to improve cancer prevention and treatment methods.