The Brain Tumour Charity will fund investigation into how scarring response to current treatments may represent sanctuaries for tumour cells.
Working on data that suggests glial scars (GSs) can form following therapies used in the clinic, this research* will test the idea that GSs create a protective area for dormant tumour cells and that they also reprogramme tumour microenvironment cells to promote rapid tumour recurrence. The aim is to identify exactly what tumour-associated GSs are made up of and which signals may be the main regulators of cancer recurrence.
Spencer Watson, a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Pr Johanna Joyce, part of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne branch, leads this project in close collaboration with fellow Joyce Lab post-doc, Anoek Zomer.
“As a researcher, having your research validated by the support of such a prominent charity is hugely encouraging. It also creates the sense that everyone who supports that charity, including cancer patients and their families, are placing their trust in you, and that is incredibly motivating." expressed Dr Watson in an interview with The Brain Tumour Charity news desk.
The Brain Tumour Charity's award to Dr Watson is part of its "Future Leaders" programme. The project will receive UK £180,000 over three years. This support is made possible through a generous donation of The Brian Cross Memorial Trust.
*Targeting astrogliosis to ablate post-treatment tumour recurrence.