STREAM aims to advance our fundamental understanding of cancer metastasis, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. STREAM focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most aggressive cancers. A critical but poorly understood step in cancer metastasis involves circulating tumor cells adhering to blood vessels and crossing them before establishing metastatic lesions. Using cutting-edge technologies such as smart microscopy, microfluidic systems, proteomics, and in vivo models, STREAM will unravel how PDAC cells attach to and cross the endothelial barriers. Our findings will provide the knowledge necessary for developing strategies to keep cancer cells confined within the bloodstream, where they will die due to the unfavorable environment and are more susceptible to therapies. Ultimately, this research holds the potential to inform innovative treatments for PDAC and other metastatic cancers, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

2025

2029