Basic research

The CRCT is an Inserm/Université de Toulouse III–Paul Sabatier mixed research unit (UMR1037) containing several CNRS-accredited research teams (ERL5294).

It has been run by Prof. Gilles Favre since 1 January 2017.

The CRCT has 21 research teams and 3 technical centers, all based on the Oncopole Campus in the Langlade district of Toulouse. The Center was opened in 2014 to meet three main objectives:

1. Concentrate all the CRCT’s existing strengths on a single site;
2. Attract new international research teams in order to double its current research capabilities;
3. Become an epicenter for cancer research by building a close symbiosis between research (CRCT) and treatment (Toulouse University Cancer Institute).
    

Research–Treatment: a unique symbiosis

The unique symbiosis between research (CRCT) and treatment (IUCT) achieved by the Oncopole campus allows research projects to be pursued from laboratory to bedside, all on a single site. This novel approach was chosen in order to achieve two main goals: improve diagnosis of the disease for all patients and, most importantly, ensure every patient receives the most appropriate treatment. The proximity of several major pharmaceuticals companies is another great asset for the CRCT.
 

The CRCT’s scientific mission

The CRCT pursues four basic and translational research themes, all of which focus on unravelling the complex molecular mechanisms that come into play in cancer cells and their environment:

1. Oncogenic signaling, DNA damage and genetic instability,
2. RNA and cancer,
3. Tumor microenvironment and metabolism,
4. Onco-immunology.

In addition, the CRCT has launched two integrated, transdisciplinary programs aimed at accelerating the translation of “basic” research discoveries into clinical applications:

1. Resistance mechanisms and new targets: from molecular pharmacology to clinical pharmacology,
2. Expanding the use of mathematical, physical and bioinformatics approaches in oncology.

Three strategies are being followed in order to improve the interface between research and clinical applications:

1. Create synergies between basic research programs and clinical applications. Appointing a single scientific director for the hospital and the research center has facilitated the coordination of work and brought together the two organizations.
2. Develop translational research programs involving at least one CRCT research team and an IUCT-Oncopole clinical team. The first call for projects of this type was launched in 2017. After evaluation by a scientific council, funding was granted to three new projects.
3. Welcome new research teams. Dr. Frédéric Chibon’s team joined the CRCT in 2017; Dr. Salvadore Valitutti’s team joined in 2018.

Research teams

To find out more about the research teams and their projects, click on the links below:

1. UMR 1037, team 1, led by Prof. Maha Ayyoub. “Antitumor immunity and immunotherapy" - learn more
2. UMR 1037, team 2, led by Dr. Jean-Sébastien Hoffmann. “Regulation of DNA replication and genetic instability in cancers” - learn more
3. UMR 1037, team 3, led by Prof. Gilles Favre. “Cancer cell signaling and therapeutics” - learn more
4. UMR 1037, team 4, led by Prof. Thierry Levade and Nicolas Andrieu. “Sphingolipid metabolism, cell death and tumor progression” - learn more
5. UMR 1037, team 5, led by Dr. Stefania Millevoi. “RNA-binding proteins and post-transcriptional regulation in cancer” - learn more
6. UMR 1037, team 6, led by Dr. Stéphane Pyronnet and Dr. Corinne Bousquet. “Protein synthesis and secretion in oncogensis" - learn more
7. UMR 1037, team 7, led by Prof. Pierre Brousset. “RNA biology in hematological cancers” - learn more
8. UMR 1037, team 8, led by Dr. Stéphane Manenti. “Cell cycle and autophagy in myeloid malignancies” - learn more
9. UMR 1037, team 9, led by Prof. Jean-Jacques Fournié. “Therapeutic innovations in B lymphomas” - learn more
10. UMR 1037, team 10, led by Dr. Pierre Cordelier. “Molecular heterogeneity of pancreatic tumors” - learn more
11. UMR 1037, team 11, led by Prof. Elisabeth Cohen-Jonathan Moyal and Christine Toulas. “Glioblastoma resistance to radiotherapy: from signaling pathways to clinical trials” - learn more
12. UMR 1037, team 12, led by Dr. Marc Poirot. “Cholesterol metabolism and therapeutic innovations” - learn more
13. UMR 1037, team 13, led by Prof. Hervé Avet-Loiseau. “Oncogenomics and immunology of multiple myeloma” - learn more
14. UMR 1037, team 14, led by Prof. Etienne Chatelut. “Dose individualization of anticancer drugs - learn more
15. UMR 1037, team 15, led by Dr. Manuel Bardiès. “Multiscale dosimetry for radiotherapy optimization” - learn more
16. UMR 1037, team 16, led by Prof. Eric Delabesse. “Alteration of transcription factors in acute leukemias” - learn more
17. UMR 1037, team 17, led by Dr. Julie Guillermet-Guibert and Prof. Jean-Pierre Delord. “SigDYN-PI3K isoforms, signaling and cancerogenesis” - learn more
18. UMR 1037, team 18, led by Jean-Emmanuel Sarry. “RESIST@ML – drug resistance and oncometabolism in acute myeloid leukemia” - learn more
19. UMR 1037, team 19, led by Dr. Frédéric Chibon. "ONCOSARC – “Oncogenesis of sarcomas” - learn more
20. UMR 1037, team 20, led by Salvatore Valitutti. “Molecular dynamics of lymphocyte interactions” - learn more
21. UMR 1037, team 21, led by Vera Pancaldi. “Epigenomics and network modeling applied to studies of heterogeneity in oncoimmunology” - learn more