Grant: Operating Grant

Brain tumors are a major cause of cancer-related deaths among children and young adults. These tumors grow by transforming the existing vasculature, leading to edema and other complications. They invade adjacent nervous tissue, often by picking their way along blood vessels, making a complete removal of the tumor by surgery almost impossible. The overall objective of our research program is to elucidate the mechanisms by which brain tumor cells induce vascular changes and migrate in a perivascular manner. The specific objective of the current project is to determine whether these mechanisms involve cell adhesion molecules, such as fibronectin and its receptors. We intend to meet this challenge by using cutting-edge techniques of cell biology in order to inhibit or overexpress the molecules of interest. The expected results should not only help to understand the development of brain tumors, but also to identify new therapeutic targets. We hope thereby to contribute to improving the lives of thousands of patients.