EPIC-CRC: Epigenetic Reprogramming of the Colorectal Cancer

Immunotherapy has become an important approach in cancer treatment by enabling the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells. However, many tumors develop resistance to immunotherapy. A major reason for this resistance is the tumors ability to create an environment that suppresses immune cell activity. This project addresses immunotherapy resistance by focusing on epigenetic reprogramming, a fundamental biological process that controls which genes are active in a cell without changing the DNA sequence itself. Epigenetic mechanisms influence how cells behave, how they communicate, and how they respond to their surroundings. In tumors, these mechanisms can limit effective immune responses, posing a big therapeutical challange. Using laboratory models derived from patient material, this research investigates how epigenetic regulation shapes the behavior of immune cells and stromal cells within the tumor environment. The project examines how epigenetic reprogramming can alter gene activity patterns that are associated with immune suppression and thereby contribute to resistance to immunotherapy. State-of-the-art genomic analyses are combined with functional experiments to study how cells adapt, interact, and change their function in a tumor-like setting. By comparing different epigenetic states, the project aims to identify basic mechanisms through which immune dysfunction arises and how it may be reversed. Ultimately, this work will provide critical insights into how epigenetic regulation shapes resistance to immunotherapy and will advance our understanding of the biological principles that determine the success or failure of immune-based cancer treatments.