Role of the insulin-like growth factor axis in combination with other growth factor signaling pathways in the resistance or response of rectal adenocarcinoma to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Peter Burfeind, since 4/2010
• Subject Area: General and Visceral Surgery
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 97216379

Recent studies have indicated a complex role for the IGF (insulin-like growth factor) axis in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. The biological activity of IGFs is determined by the integrated actions of local concentrations of IGFs and of IGF-binding proteins in mediating the mitogenic effects of IGFs via activation of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR). This project aims to elucidate the role of the IGF axis in the pathogenesis of rectal adenocarcinoma and in the resistance or response of rectal adenocarcinoma to a neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RT/CT). The studies will be performed in established colorectal cancer cell lines, in cell lines which will be established from rectal adenocarcinoma, as well as in biopsies taken from rectal adenocarcinoma. Based on these data, crosstalks between the IGF-IR and other growth factor receptors and their signal pathways will be analyzed and evaluated for their functional relevance to the resistance or response of rectal adenocarcinoma to neoadjuvant RT/CT. This project aims to detect more complex interactions involved in the resistance or response of rectal cancer as molecular targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies, e.g. dual blockade of two receptors.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Jens-Gerd Scharf, until 4/2010