SIRIC EpiCure

Epigenetics is the branch of biology that studies the mechanisms that modify gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic abnormalities can contribute to the development and progression of cancers, linked to processes of cell division or the inhibition of tumor suppressor genes. Understanding epigenetics, combined with individual patient clinical data, is one of the promising therapeutic approaches in precision oncology, particularly in the fight against rare cancers.

Research Areas

Epigenetics modulates cellular characteristics—including those of tumor cells—as well as sensitivity to treatments, including immunotherapy. Numerous epigenetic drugs (epimedicines or epidrugs) are currently in development, and new technologies make it possible to study epigenetics directly within tumors. EpiCure is working to translate this new knowledge into concrete clinical applications. Developing new types of molecular diagnostics and new targeted therapies are among its objectives.

This SIRIC (Integrated Cancer Research Site) is structured around four major areas of study identified by the researchers:

• Epigenetics and chromatin structure in cancer progression
• Epitranscriptomics in treatment resistance and relapse
• Epigenetic modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment and drug development
• Epigenetics studied from the perspectives of the philosophy of science, clinical trial design, access to care, and health economics

The Approach

To address these various objectives, the teams at SIRIC EpiCure base their work on fundamental epigenetics research, technological breakthroughs in epitranscriptomics, and clinical trials of epidrugs. They also draw on the extensive tissue collections available to Gustave Roussy and its partners, derived from multiple sequential samples from clinical trials.

This approach, based on cutting-edge technology, enables the study of changes in DNA structure and their impact on gene transcription, as well as changes in RNA that affect protein translation. With regard to treatments, EpiCure evaluates the influence of epigenetic processes on the efficacy of immuno-oncological cell therapies, as well as the changes in the tumor microenvironment induced by epidrugs.

Organization of the SIRIC

National and international collaborations—through partnerships with academic institutions, industry, and patient networks—are at the heart of EpiCure. This SIRIC is funded by grants from the National Cancer Institute, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and INSERM.

The EpiCure SIRIC draws on the expertise of 14 multidisciplinary teams, bringing together clinicians and researchers from Gustave Roussy, INSERM, the CNRS, and Paris-Saclay University. It is led by Dr. Sophie Postel-Vinay, an oncologist and researcher in the Department of Therapeutic Innovation and Early-Phase Trials (DITEP) at Gustave Roussy and ERC Team Leader "Targeting (epi)genetic Vulnerabilities in Solid Tumors," co-led with Olivier Bernard, Director of the INSERM/Gustave Roussy unit "Early Stages of Hematopoietic Cells."

SIRIC EpiCure Steering Committee

• Sophie Postel-Vinay
• Olivier Bernard
• Filippo Rosselli
• Caroline Robert
• Florent Ginhoux
• Camille Bigenwald
• Stefan Michiels
• Julia Bonastre
• Laurence Albiges
• Christophe Massard
• Laure Masson
• Fabrice André
• Anne Paoletti
• Estelle Lecointe-Artzner
• Alexandre Bobard
• Christine Corinus