Fibroblast heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with limited treatment options: only 1 in 10 patients survive more than 5 years. In pancreatic cancer, the most abundant cells are non-malignant cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which have been shown to promote cancer growth, chemotherapy resistance and suppression of the immune system. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that targeting CAFs may also restrict pancreatic cancer growth. These studies underscore the need to better characterise the nature and roles of CAFs to help identify new therapeutic targets. This research project will involve the use of mouse models, co-culture models of pancreatic cancer cells grown as three-dimensional organoids and CAFs, as well as genetic and pharmacological strategies to target these different cell types. Overall, this project will determine the interplay between cancer cells and CAFs in pancreatic cancer with the aim to improve both diagnostic and treatment approaches for this disease.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Giulia Biffi (Primary Supervisor) | |
Eloise Lloyd (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MR/N013433/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/04/2026 | |||
2424274 | Studentship | MR/N013433/1 | 01/10/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Eloise Lloyd |
Description | Fibroblast heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer |
Amount | £104,667 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2424274 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2020 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Attended and presented a poster at International PhD Student Cancer Conference in Heidelberg |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Attended the 3 day International PhD Student Cancer Conference (IPSCC) in Heidelberg and presented a poster. It sparked my engaement in the organising committee for the IPSCC 2023 at CRUK CI. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Cambridge America visit to Cambridge Biomedical Campus |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Members of Cambridge America visited the Institute and I shared the work we do as a lab with the group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Poster presentation and flash talk at Cambridge Institute Retreat |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation and flash talk of my Phd project at Cambridge Institute Retreat. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Presentation at Cambridge Pancreatic Cancer Programme Science Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation of PhD work at Cambridge Pancreatic Cancer Programme Science Meeting to practitioners, researchers and patient representatives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Presented a poster at the 2022 AACR Special Conference: Pancreatic Cancer in Boston |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Attended and presented a poster at the 2022 AACR Special Conference: Pancreatic Cancer in Boston,USA. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |