The ADAPTMET consortium, spearheaded by IRB Barcelona, is a collaborative effort involving 14 prominent institutions across Europe, including leading academic, clinical, and industrial organizations committed to cancer and metastasis research.
ADAPTMET represents the second phase of funding under the European Union's Innovative Training Networks (ITN) program, which is part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, building upon the success of the EVOMET ITN network. Prof. Johanna Joyce, from our Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, is joining this ambitious European initiative. The project aims to advance our understanding of metastasis by training sixteen researchers to become specialized leaders in this challenging field.
Cancer continues to be a major health burden in Europe, affecting more than 3.5 million individuals, with metastasis accounting for the majority of cancer-related deaths. ADAPTMET is poised to address this challenge by bringing together leading European research institutions to train the next generation of experts in metastasis research. Pr. Joyce, full professor at the University of Lausanne and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, will also play a pivotal role in supervising trainees in her lab, in addition to serving again as the Chair of the Training and Career Development Board for all sixteen students in the network.
Metastasis—the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs—is responsible for over 90% of cancer-related deaths, underscoring its status as one of the most significant challenges in oncology. Despite progress in primary cancer treatments, metastasis remains difficult to treat and poorly understood. The ADAPTMET project aims to change this by delving deep into the mechanisms that allow cancer cells to adapt and spread, ultimately transforming treatment strategies, and improving patient outcomes.
Prof. Joyce emphasizes the significance of this initiative: “Through the ADAPTMET network, we aim to address some of the most pressing challenges in cancer research by deepening our understanding of how tumor cells adapt to diverse tissue microenvironments during metastatic dissemination and outgrowth. By uncovering the mechanisms that drive tumor cell plasticity, including those at the epigenetic level, we hope to advance knowledge in this critical area. Building on the success of the first phase of this metastasis network – EVOMET – which trained exceptional PhD students, we are excited to continue this momentum by recruiting and mentoring the next generation of young leaders in cancer research.”
ADAPTMET is structured around four crucial scientific pillars, each aimed at tackling a different aspect of metastasis:
Cell fate: Investigating how cancer cells regulate various cellular processes that promote metastasis. By understanding how these cells control their fate in response to environmental changes, we can uncover new therapeutic strategies.
Environment: Analyzing the complex interactions between metastatic cancer cells, the immune system, and surrounding tissues. The project seeks to decode how these interactions drive cancer progression.
Latency: Focusing on how metastatic cells can remain dormant for extended periods before becoming active again. Understanding these mechanisms is key to improving early detection and preventing recurrence.
Expansion: Studying how metastatic cancer spreads and becomes resistant to existing therapies. This work will shed light on new ways to prevent therapeutic resistance and enhance treatment efficacy.
A cornerstone of the ADAPTMET project is its dedication to training the next generation of cancer researchers. The project offers an exceptional doctoral program designed to equip 16 early-career scientists with the technical skills and expertise needed for successful careers in academia or industry. The program combines hands-on training, direct mentorship, and exposure to state-of-the-art technology, alongside comprehensive professional development opportunities in areas like communication, project management, and leadership.
The trainees will benefit from supervision by leading experts in the field, including:
This collaboration highlights our department's unwavering commitment to supporting early-career researchers and advancing international cooperation in the battle against cancer. Through participation in the ADAPTMET project, Prof. Joyce and her colleagues are helping to create a strong training platform that will enable young researchers to make critical breakthroughs in metastasis research. Together, we aim to redefine metastatic cancer care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and developing more effective, personalized treatments.
The ADAPTMET call for PhD candidates will open on 5 November, 2024.
The ADAPTMET project is supported by funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, under grant agreement 101169223.