Targeting the essentialome of radiotherapy-resistant cancer

The UNIVERSITAET BERN in Belgium from Europe region has released this tender for Targeting the essentialome of radiotherapy-resistant cancer More than 50 of the cancer patients undergo irradiation as part of their cancer treatment Although radiotherapy RT significantly contributes to cancer cure local therapy resistance and the subsequent emergence of distant metastasis remain major obstacles for its success The molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell-intrinsic RT resistance are ill-defined It is therefore crucial to better define these mechanisms and identify new vulnerabilities of RT-resistant tumors in order to decrease the current annual cancer mortality of 1 3 million persons in EU member states alone In the TETHER project I will address the problem of RT resistance by synergizing the power of genetic essentiality analyses with unique mouse models and organoids that we have established We recently found that members of the shieldin and CST complexes are essential for tumor cells to survive irradiation while causing PARP inhibitor resistance when lost in BRCA1-deficient tumors Based on this unexpected finding I have started a new line of research to dissect the RT essentialome As I show with the discovery and functional characterization of ERCC6l2 as a novel DNA repair factor in this network the technology we have in place is perfectly suited to tackle this question In addition we will apply distinct CRISPR Cas9-based tests to map the functional interactome of genes that are essential for RT resistance To follow the plasticity and RT escape of tumor cells in vivo we have also developed innovative model systems Similar to the situation in cancer patients we observe that residual cancer cells in our mouse models escape the deadly effects of RT by local resistance or metastasis formation Thus these models provide a unique opportunity to explore and target RT escape mechanisms I am convinced that the combination of these state-of-the-art approaches will yield highly useful information for designing individualized approaches to improve RT response in cancer patients with tender notice no. 883877 published on 04 Sep 2026. The tender is due to expire on 31 Mar 2027. This tender is sourced from Cordis and is eligible for suppliers interested in Design and execution of research and development, Research services, Research laboratory services, Research consultancy services, Market research services. Interested bidders can obtain further information including complete bid documents or ways to participate by registering on Tender Impulse and referencing via Tender Impulse ID 14676603.