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The German Research Foundation DFG has approved funding for the CRC/Transregio for research into the tumor environment TRR 417 entitled “Cellular communication in the stroma of colorectal carcinomas: from pathophysiology to clinical translation”. The spokesperson is Prof. Dr. Florian R. Greten, Director of the Georg-Speyer-Haus and spokesperson of the LOEWE Center Frankfurt Cancer Institute. The aim of the research network is to better understand the complex interactions between colorectal cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment - in particular the stroma. These processes are crucial for the progression of the disease and the response to therapies. The project aims to provide new molecular insights and create the basis for innovative treatment strategies. In addition to Goethe University Frankfurt, the universities of Erlangen-Nuremberg and Freiburg are also involved.

Prof. Dr. Greten explains the approval of the Collaborative Research Centre: "We are building on the experience we have gained since 2016 in our collaboration in the DFG Research Unit 2438 on this topic. In this research group, we have not only been able to gain numerous scientific insights, but have also developed common standards, models and technologies." Building on this, the researchers will now develop novel therapeutic concepts, says Greten: “We want to find out how we can specifically change the tumor microenvironment and use it therapeutically to improve treatments and make them accessible for immunotherapies - especially for intestinal tumors that have so far responded poorly to existing therapies.”