TRAiNSGlioma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Available treatments have limited efficacy due to the highly aggressive and invasive nature of malignant cells, limitations of surgery and resistance to chemo/radiotherapy. More effective diagnostic methods and innovative therapeutic strategies, carried out by professionals able to successfully translate basic research into improved clinical outcomes, are urgently needed. In order to achieve this, TRAiNSGlioma brings together academic laboratory leaders in the field, universities, patient organization and dynamic SMEs in the frame of a MSCA-ITN action. They all together combine cutting-edge skills in preclinical and translational research, molecular imaging, genomics, chemistry, bioinformatics, modeling and education. The consortium is based on close relationships with clinicians and patients, enabling PhD students to play a key role in an integrated and ambitious project. They will implement new methods for early diagnosis and detection of invasive tumor cells. Innovative therapeutic strategies will be developed by identifying new biomarkers with dedicated imaging tools, designing new drugs that cross the blood-tumour barrier and implementing new combined therapies, including the emerging field of immunotherapy. A new generation of interdisciplinary researchers, exhibiting both scientific and entrepreneurial skills, will be trained to implement and transfer innovative theranostic strategies for GBM and beyond, in oncology, neuroscience and rare diseases. Active learning methods, integrated training sessions on transferable skills and an ambitious secondment plan will cover cutting edge knowledge on GBM, project management, ethics, IPR, market access, and multimodal and heterogeneous data handling. The training of 15 new experts will be completed by a multiscale analysis of all of the ESR’s data. This project will improve patient and public information on GBM, and contribute to the growth of SMEs involved in drug development, which will also facilitate market adoption of developed solutions.