CRIS EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME 2021
Introduction:
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men, causing more than 80,000 deaths a year in the European Union. Although most respond to treatments, these tumours have certain characteristics that make them a real medical challenge.
On the one hand, there is great heterogeneity in tumour cells, both between patients and within individual patients. On the other hand, in many cases the tumour is capable of resisting treatments or even returning after many years of apparent remission.
Dr Carracedo’s team raises the possible existence of certain types of cells, known as persistent cells, which may have a number of characteristics that allow long-term survival after treatments or in hostile environments (this would facilitate the generation of metastases elsewhere in the body).
Project:
In this project, the team led by Dr Arkaitz Carracedo will study the characteristics of these persistent cells and their potential weaknesses to develop more effective treatments. The results of this project could revolutionise the treatment of prostate cancer by changing the focus of therapies and focusing on these persistent cells.