Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone tumour in children and young adults and one of the most common causes of cancer death in young adults. Around 60% of patients survive beyond five years. Between 20-30% of patients have metastases at presentation and of these, 80% experience relapse. There are very few options available to treat relapsed Ewing sarcoma: the outlook for these patients is dismal.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been trialled in relapsed Ewing sarcoma with mixed success. This is likely because we don’t know the mechanisms underpinning their response and hence don’t know the right way to use TKIs (e.g. alongside other anti-cancer drugs) or which patients are most likely to respond well.
This PhD aims to determine the mechanisms underpinning response to TKIs in Ewing sarcoma cell lines and patients. This work will identify future biomarkers that will enable intuitive use of TKIs for the benefit of Ewing sarcoma patients.
This project will utilise skills spanning material science to in vivo biology: employing state-of-the-art, bespoke bone-like mimetics in vitro and generating complex human-mimetic bone cancer models in vivo. The project will evaluate mechanisms of response to TKIs, focussing on immune-based effects using FACS, ELISA, qRT-PCR and histology. In vivo studies will utilise cutting-edge technologies in molecular imaging and immune cell profiling. Findings from the in vivo work will be cross-validated in material from patients with Ewing sarcoma.
If successful, this project will provide new mechanistic insight into TKI response in Ewing sarcoma, driving more appropriate, targeted use of TKIs in the clinic, improving outcomes for patients with recurrent disease, who so desperately need new, viable treatment options.
Eligibility
Candidates must be post-registration clinicians and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject. It is generally expected that CRTFs will return to a training programme in the UK upon completion of their research degree.
How to Apply
To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application form. Details of how to apply are available here (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/funded-programmes/mcrc-training-scheme/apply/). For Visa requirements, international applicants must select the full-time study option.
General enquiries can be directed to [Email Address Removed]
Interview Date: Friday 13 January 2023
Commencement: October 2023
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
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