Functional and anatomical monitoring of tumor progression by non-invasive imaging devices in various tumor models

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Frauke Alves
• Subject Area: Pathology
• Term: from 2006 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 22033382

Discoidin Domain receptors (DDRs) activated by triple-helical collagens are found to be highly expressed in tumors. Based on previous studies and on our preliminary work we hypothesize that DDR1 contributes to mammary tumor development and moreover, that DDR1 and DDR2 play roles in cell-cell interactions and cellular migration during tumor progression. Our main goals are therefore (I) to define mechanisms by which DDR1 isoforms contribute to mammary tumorigenesis and progression in DDR1 transgenic mice, (II) to investigate the role of DDR2 in tumorigenesis, (III) to explore cellular and molecular consequences of DDR1 overexpression in tumor cells, and (IV) to define influences of the loss of DDRs in host-derived stroma on tumor progression and angiogenesis. The functions of DDRs on tumor growth, spread and tumor vessel formation will be analysed in these tumor and transgenic mouse models in vivo by applying novel imaging techniques with contrast media and fluorescent labeled probes to study non-invasively tumor progression over time. Knowledge of the role of DDRs in the network of the multicompartment cell interactions within tumors will help to understand mechanisms that promote tumor invasion and metastatic dissemination.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1190: The Tumour-Vessel Interface