Metastatic disease is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths, with treatment-resistance and metastatic dissemination supported by oncogenic-changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). To investigate ECM-dependent cancer dissemination and therapy resistance, ECM-Target will identify the individual components responsible for supporting breast cancer progression. This will be achieved by coupling ECM-targeted proteomics with high-throughput microscopy of cancer cells treated on native ECM mixtures from mouse organs and human patient samples. The project will also involve new technology development to finely map and visualise tumour cells escaping the primary site in order to disseminate. This will identify key ECM components regulating metastatic dissemination. Importantly, we will collaborate with industry partners and biobanks to develop ECM-based biomarkers to provide an essential link from mechanistic insights to improving patient outcomes from this work.

2024

2028