LabNarrative concept · prepared as an independent design proposal
Research programme 02
Glycocalyx and stromal resistance
We investigate how stromal contact, glycoproteins and the cancer-cell glycocalyx shield HER2 signalling from targeted therapy.
How do metastatic stromal environments induce a reversible glycosylation-based drug-resistant state?
At metastatic sites, cancer cells are exposed to new stromal partners and extracellular signals. In breast cancer brain metastasis models, direct stromal interaction can increase mucins and bulky glycoproteins, creating a glycocalyx that reduces effective HER2/EGFR inhibition.
The programme studies these adaptive surface states and tests whether disrupting glycosylation or the glycocalyx can restore therapeutic sensitivity.