The Role of HSF1 in Tumor Adaptation to Proteotoxic Stress: Synthetic Lethality and Targeted Inhibition Strategies
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Masarykův onkologický ústav
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-21679S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
The Role of HSF1 in Tumor Adaptation to Proteotoxic Stress: Synthetic Lethality and Targeted Inhibition Strategies
Annotation in Czech
Cancer cells depend on proteostasis to survive increased protein synthesis and proteotoxic stress, making proteostasis pathways attractive therapeutic targets. The transcription factor HSF1 is a key regulator of this response, promoting chaperone expression and adaptation to stress. In tumors, HSF1 is often constitutively active and supports malignant progression, yet the mechanisms controlling its function remain poorly defined. This project will investigate how HSF1 is reprogrammed in cancer, focusing on understudied regulatory layers such as SUMOylation, liquid-liquid phase separation, and protein stability. This project aims to elucidate how HSF1 is functionally reprogrammed in cancer cells and to uncover novel regulatory mechanisms that create therapeutic vulnerabilities. By providing fundamental insights into the molecular control of HSF1 activity in oncogenesis, this research will inform the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting tumor-specific proteostasis networks.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
30204 - Oncology
OECD FORD - secondary branch
10601 - Cell biology
OECD FORD - another secondary branch
10608 - Biochemistry and molecular biology
CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
CE - Biochemistry<br>EA - Morphology and cytology<br>EB - Genetics and molecular biology<br>FD - Oncology and haematology
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
May 6, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
9,622 thou. CZK
Public financial support
9,523 thou. CZK
Other public sources
99 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK