Geert Kops receives KWF-grant for research into intestinal cancer

Geert Kops, group leader at the Hubrecht Institute, receives a KWF-grant for his project ‘Chromosomal instability in 3D stem cell cultures of intestinal cancer’. With this project Kops will investigate the extent, type, and time of appearance of chromosomal instability during intestinal tumour progression.

Cancer cells are characterized by chromosomal abnormalities. These abnormalities contribute to the rapid development of the tumour to more aggressive forms and to resistance against cancer therapies. The abnormalities are caused by errors in the distribution of genetic material during mitosis. This is called chromosomal instability or CIN. It is unknown when CIN arises during tumour development, whether it gets worse over time and if it is a permanent characteristic of the tumour. Also it is unknown what the cause of CIN is.

The goal of Kops project is to gain insight into the timing, severity and causes of CIN during the development of intestinal cancer. This will be done by filming the process of chromosome distribution during mitosis in intestinal tumour organoids. These organoids are grown from (cancer)stem cells. Intestinal organoids are a promising new method of tissue culture that resembles the original tissue better than other methods. Intestinal organoids make it possible to observe mitosis directly in tissue.

The degree of chromosomal abnormalities in cells of cancer patients correlates with a poorer prognosis and resistance to anti-cancer therapy. This project will contribute to understanding of the development of these abnormalities. It could also contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies to kill tumour cells and creation of new screening methods for future patient specific therapeutic approaches.