NCCR Guide 2013 - Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF)

Molecular Oncology – From Basic
Research to Therapeutic Approaches
NCCR Molecular Oncology
• Service de radiothérapie,
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire
Vaudois, Lausanne, CH
• SIB, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH
• Signalling and cancer, Friedrich
Mischer Institute, Basel, CH
• University of Japan, JP
• University of Tübingen,
Tübingen, DE
Economy / Industry
• Adipogen SA, Epalinges, CH
• Apoxis SA, Lausanne, CH
• Bracco Research SA,
Geneva, CH
• BTG International Ltd.,
London, GB
• Cytos Biotechnology Inc,
Zürich, CH
• Glaxo Smith Kline, PA, US
• Ipsogen SAS, Marseille, FR
• MDxHealth Inc., Liège, BE
• Novartis Pharma, Bern, CH
• Pfizer, La Jolla, CA, US
• The Genetics Company,
Schlieren, CH
Others
• Association pour la recherche
sur le Cancer, Villejuif, FR
• Fondation Institut Suisse de la
Recheche Experimental contre
le cancer, Lausanne, CH
• Fondation ISREC, Epalinges, CH
• German Research Fundation,
Bonn, DE
• Krebsforschung Schweiz,
Berne, CH
Achievements of the previous years
New spirit
The NCCR has created a
new spirit of greater mutual
interest across the borders
between basic and clinical
research. Several collaborative
projects involving
scientists at ISREC and
more clinically oriented
research groups at the University
Hospital Lausanne
(CHUV) and other Swiss
university clinics have been
started. Some of these projects
include partnerships
with pharmaceutical companies
(e.g. Pfizer).
New insights
Novel molecular events underlying
the development of
certain tumour types have
been elucidated. Cell types
from which these tumours
arise have been identified.
Mechanisms, which control
cell division and the degree
of specialization of normal
cells have been unravelled
and may prove relevant for
malignant tumour progression.
New models to investigate
the development
of tumour metastases in
distant organs have been
established. These discoveries
provide a basis for
the identification and validation
of novel therapeutic
approaches.
New therapeutic
developments
A clinical study has been
completed to investigate
how tumours control their
blood supply. A further
clinical trial is currently
underway to assess the efficacy
of anti-angiogenic
therapy in patients with
head and neck tumours.
Novel strategies have been
developed to direct the
patient’s immune system
against the tumour. Immunisation
of melanoma patients
with tumour derived
antigens proved to be successful
in eliciting a strong
tumour specific immune
response.
The pattern of differentially
regulated genes has been
analysed in several human
tumour types (breast, brain,
skin). Results from such
studies allowed identifying
new tumour subtypes and
in some cases new prognostic
markers. They may
eventually lead to the identification
of gene profiles,
which are predictive of a
response to therapy.
New research groups
Five new positions for junior
research group leaders
equivalent to assistant
professorships have been
created to strengthen advanced
biocomputing and
research that is directly
cancer relevant.
New technologies
The NCCR Molecular Oncology
allowed to establish
or strengthen important
technology platforms. The
animal facility allowed the
development of novel cancer
mouse models, which
mimic the genetic alterations
and the behavior of
human tumours and are
indispensable for the validation
of new therapeutic
targets. The DNA array
and bioinformatics core
faci lities supported several
novel cancer relevant projects
at the interface to the
clinic.
Training
The NCCR Molecular Oncology
provides education
and training in cancer research
at several levels. It
participates and strengthens
the ISREC International
PhD Programme and
the MD/PhD programme
of the University of Lausanne,
providing medical
doctors with an opportunity
to carry out a PhD thesis in
molecular oncology. The
NCCR presently supports
the training of approximately
30 PhD students
and 30 postdoctoral fellows.
NCCR advanced courses in
microscopy, imaging and
morphology have been carried
out by the NCCR imaging
facility (MIM) for users
including students from the
University of Lausanne and
the EPFL.
Further information see
www.nccr-oncology.ch
10 | Guide 2013