IPBS strengthens its commitment to breast cancer research
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, IPBS is highlighting its commitment to breast cancer research through several projects and funding initiatives that are strengthening the scientific capabilities of its research teams.
Among these advances is SPATICaM (SPATIal omics of Cancer Microenvironment), a project led by Professor Catherine Muller-Staumont and Dr Landry Blanc. Selected as part of the TREK – Breakthrough Technologies in Oncology call for projects, launched under the French Cancer Plan, the project is also receiving financial support from the Rotary Club.
SPATICaM will enable IPBS to establish an integrated spatial multi-omics platform, combining mass spectrometry imaging, automated laser microdissection and single-cell proteomics. The project will initially focus on studying metabolic interactions between adipocytes and tumour cells in breast cancer, both in primary tumours and bone metastases.
In addition to this project, other IPBS teams are investigating bone metastases. The teams led by Dr Frédéric Lagarrigue and Dr Christel Vérolet are continuing their research into the mechanisms controlling the progression of these metastases, focusing in particular on the “vicious cycle” between osteoclasts and cancer cells, as well as the role of integrins in the dialogue between tumour cells and the bone microenvironment. This research is supported by the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM) through funding for a postdoctoral fellowship, as well as by the Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer.
Finally, breast cancer research at IPBS is being further strengthened by a new doctoral project led by Dr Priyanka Sharma. This project aims to investigate the impact of citrullination on transcriptional dynamics and oncogenic progression in breast cancer, in order to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of the disease.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, IPBS is reaffirming its commitment to working alongside the scientific community and its partners, in particular the Institut universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse – Oncopole (IUCT-Oncopole), to advance knowledge of breast cancer and contribute to research breakthroughs for the benefit of patients.