GRK 2751:  Inflammatory cues as modulators of early pancreatic carcinogenesis (InCuPanC)

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2022
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 449501615

Chronic unresolved inflammation is considered as one of the most important risk factors for numerous malignancies including pancreatic cancer. In established pancreatic tumors, the impact of the inflamma-tory tumor microenvironment has been extensively studied during recent years. However, knowledge about the molecular circuits triggering inflammation-induced early pancreatic carcinogenesis is still very limited. Therefore, this RTG initiative aims to systematically decipher the influence of different inflamma-tory cues induced by genetic, metabolic or exogenous triggers on the transition from preinvasive precur-sor lesions to invasive cancers during early pancreatic carcinogenesis. The consortium builds on a unique and highly interdisciplinary network of clinical scientists and basic researchers which have been recruited during recent years, providing expert knowledge in both basic and translational pancreatic cancer research including relevant in vivo models, state-of-the-art transcriptom-ics, proteomics and CRISPR-based screening methods. Genetic mouse models based on K-Ras driven carcinogenesis will serve as central in vivo platform to comparatively investigate genetically, obesity-, and pharmacologically induced inflammation recapitulating established clinical risk factors for pancreatic cancer. In vivo modelling will be complemented by extensive in vitro analyses including co-culture tech-niques and functional screens aiming to dissect the impact of different inflammatory stroma components on malignant transformation. Collectively, these efforts aim to unravel novel avenues for early detection and therapeutic intervention during inflammation-driven pancreatic carcinogenesis. To date, research consortia addressing these specific tasks are rare, but are urgently required to improve the appallingly high mortality of this malignancy estimated to be the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. In our consortium, all clinical and basic research groups share a wealth of methods and expertise to bridge and cross-fertilize different disciplines. Supported by a well-established qualification structure for young researchers, the RTG will provide a cutting-edge and highly interdisciplinary training platform to the next generation of both clinical scientists in gastroenterology, visceral surgery and pathology as well as basic researchers in cellular and molecular biology. In addition, the consortium involves a high proportion of female PIs and early career investigators, living the MLU goals of gender equality and independent career development.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
• Participating Researchers: Privatdozentin Dr. Ivonne Bazwinsky-Wutschke; Dr. Nadine Bley; Professor Dr. Michael Böttcher; Professor Dr. Martin Gericke; Dr. Markus Glaß; Professor Dr. Tony Gutschner; Dr. Stefanie Göllner; Professorin Dr. Monika Hämmerle, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Stefan Hüttelmaier; Professorin Dr. Sonja Keßler; Professorin Dr. Heike Kielstein; Professor Dr. Jörg Kleeff; Professor Dr. Sebastian Krug; Dr. Helmut Laumen; Professor Dr. Patrick Michl; Professor Dr. Lutz P. Müller; Professorin Dr. Andrea Sinz
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Jonas Rosendahl, since 12/2022