2nd FERO-ASEICA Grant – Dr Direna Alonso Curbelo

Dr Alonso Curbelo’s project will identify new factors and processes resulting from aberrant cooperation between oncogenic mutations (such as KRAS) and inflammation. This combination initiates and fuels pancreatic cancer, and the project aims to better understand the mechanisms involved in the development of these tumours, characterise the factors that lead to immunosuppression and subsequent tumour development, and also evaluate potential therapeutic targets. The proposal seeks to analyse the molecular, cellular and tissue mechanisms through which oncogenic mutations and environmental signals (pancreatitis) drive and sustain Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in the EU, with a 5-year survival rate below 10%.