EXC 1003 C2 - Monitoring and Targeting of Tumour-Associated Vessels and Cells

Basic data for this project

Description

Angiogenesis is not only crucial for the development of the vascular system but also for tumour growth and metastasis. As such we will focus on tumour vessel dynamics and mobilization of tumour growth promoting genes, pathways and cells. We will also develop strategies for effective and targeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic tools, exploiting specific features of tumour associated vessels, tumour stem cells, and infiltrating immune cells. Our expertise on peptide-decorated vesicles, which can be labelled by fluorescence or isotopes, provides a unique potential for imaging of disease states and for development of innovative therapies. The latter involves triggered release of vesicle contents (e.g. drugs) by changes in tissue pH, or ultrasound waves. In the scenario of brain tumours, we will elucidate the impact of tumour growth on neuronal activity as determined by PET and will exploit the immune system to therapeutically target gliomas. A broad range of imaging will be employed including 2-photon microscopy, intra-operative metabolic fluorescence dye-based optical imaging (5-aminolevulinic acid - ALA), advanced MRI sequences and PET tracers such as radiolabelled amino acids, nucleosides and TSPO (specific ligand for activated microglia). The central aim is to exploit the in vivo dynamics and activity of tumour-promoting factors for diagnosis and for early and predictive monitoring of therapy response.