INTIGT · Identification of novel targets to improve glioblastoma therapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumour in adults. The current standard of care is surgical resection of GBM tumours followed by chemotherapy and ionizing radiation (IR). Despite these intense efforts, GBM tumours remain incurable and the median survival rate of GBM patients remains only ~15 months. This dismal clinical outcome underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies for GBM. At the cellular level, GBM tumours contain a rare population of self-renewing, highly invasive stem cells termed brain tumour stem cells (BTSCs). BTSCs are endowed with properties to proliferate, spur the growth of new tumours, and at the same time, evade IR and chemotherapy. Thus eradicating BTSCs in tumour bulk represents a promising approach to fight brain cancer at its roots. However, there are presently no treatments targeting BTSCs in GBM. Recent preliminary data obtained by the applicant led to the hypothesis that a novel signalling pathway, controls BTSC behaviour and represents a promising target to eradicate BTSCs. Thus, the applicant will join the Bordeaux institute of oncology (BRIC) at University of Bordeaux to test this hypothesis, under the supervision of Pr. Bikfalvi. The host, the supervisor and the candidate represents the perfect match to realise this proposal. The project is designed to bring forth a two-way transfer of knowledge between the host and the candidate. The advanced techniques and transferable skills that the candidate acquires through this research will largely broaden his competencies and increase his employability as an independent researcher in the field of neuro-oncology. Results generated through this proposal will be innovative and of clinical relevance for GBM patients. This study has the potential to open new therapeutic avenues and pave the way for future clinical trials for better treatment of these deadly tumours.