Targeting CXCR4 signaling to eliminate metastatic cancer stem cells in pancreatic cancer (B04)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316249678

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) propagate pancreatic cancer growth and are often resistant against chemotherapy. The applicant identified a CXCR4-expressing subpopulation of these CSCs forming the invasive front in metastases. Thus, the present project will determine whether the CXCR4 antagonist EPI-X4 suppresses metastatic growth of pancreatic CSCs. Furthermore, it will examine the role of the antimicrobial peptides LL-37 and granulysin in the metastatic growth of pancreatic cancer because preliminary data suggest that secretion of these peptides by macrophages may enhance tumorigenicity and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1279: Exploiting the Human Peptidome for Novel Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents
• Applicant Institution: Universität Ulm
• Project Head: Dr. Patrick C. Hermann