Mechanistic Insights into the Release of BCAM via Extracellular Vesicles and Its Role in The Ovarian Cancer Microenvironment

• Applicant: Dr. Suresh Sivakumar, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Gynaecology and Obstetrics ; Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 576907954

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, mainly because it is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and readily spreads within the abdominal cavity. A better understanding of how ovarian cancer cells communicate with their environment is essential to develop new therapeutic strategies. This project focuses on the protein BCAM (Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule), which we recently identified on extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by ovarian cancer cells. EVs are small membrane particles that transport proteins and genetic material between cells and thereby influence tumor progression and immune responses. Our preliminary data suggest that BCAM-containing EVs promote changes in the tumor microenvironment that favor cancer cell survival, adhesion, and metastasis. The objectives of the project are: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control the release of BCAM via EVs. To investigate how BCAM-positive EVs influence the ovarian cancer microenvironment, particularly tumor–stromal and tumor–immune interactions. To explore whether targeting BCAM or BCAM-carrying EVs could reduce ovarian cancer progression. By combining cell biology, cancer research, and immunology, this work will provide new mechanistic insights into ovarian cancer biology. The expected findings may open up new avenues for the development of diagnostic markers or therapeutic interventions targeting tumor-derived EVs.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants