Dr. Vincent Guen, who recently joined the SIRIC (Integrated Cancer Research Site) ILIAD Nantes-Angers, has been honored with the 2023 “Etoile Montante” award by the Pays de la Loire Region. He discusses his research on breast cancer and the impact of this recognition on his work.
Who are you and what is your background?
I am Vincent Guen, and I began my research career in 2013, completing my Ph.D. at the Roscoff Biological Station under the supervision of Pierre Colas. My thesis aimed to identify the molecular and cellular bases of a genetic developmental disorder known as the STAR syndrome.
“Working on the link between primary cilia and cancers”
Early in my career, I demonstrated that this syndrome is actually caused by a malformation of primary cilia, classifying it as a ciliopathy. Cilia are akin to antennas that allow cells to receive signals from their environment, activating signaling pathways that determine their fate. Abnormalities in cilia and/or ciliary signaling lead to serious developmental disorders called ciliopathies. During my work on STAR syndrome, I noticed that some patients developed tumors, which intrigued me and motivated me to investigate the link between primary cilia and cancer.
“I had the opportunity to join MIT in 2014”
In the 2010s, the connections between primary cilia and cancer were still not well understood. In 2014, I had the opportunity to join MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to work with Jacqueline Lees and Robert Weinberg, specialists in breast cancer. There, I continued studying the role of primary cilia in development and began my research on its role in cancer.
“Returning to my roots!”
After four years in the United States, I decided to return to my roots in Western France. I joined the IGDR in Brittany and, in October 2021, the CRCI2NA and Philippe Juin’s team as part of SIRIC ILIAD. My move to Nantes was intentional. One reason is the specific structuring of cancer research, largely due to SIRIC ILIAD. The themes developed within SIRIC, such as breast cancer, genomics, and bioinformatics, also contributed to the attractiveness of Nantes for my research.
What are you working on since your arrival in Nantes?
Research on primary cilia is relatively recent in France, especially in the context of cancer. My work over the past decade has confirmed the importance of applying developmental biology knowledge to oncology.
“We found a new way to identify an aggressive subtype of breast cancer”
For example, we showed that deregulation of ciliary signaling pathways can lead to the formation of breast tumors enriched with cancer stem cells (aggressive cells). This discovery has enabled us to identify a new method for identifying a subtype of breast cancer, revealing new vulnerabilities in these tumors that could be therapeutically relevant.
“I aim to leverage my skills acquired abroad”
By joining SIRIC ILIAD, I aim to utilize the skills I’ve acquired throughout my career, particularly abroad, to develop breast cancer study models, such as organoids/tumoroids, which are 3D models that mimic tumors, and cellular imaging to identify new vulnerabilities in currently incurable breast cancers.
What is the “Etoile Montante” project and how will it help you in your research?
Being awarded the “Etoile Montante” grant is a tremendous boost for our research! It will give momentum to our studies on primary cilia biology, especially in breast cancer.
“This program aims to identify and support promising young researchers already established in Loire laboratories. It provides them with the means to develop their research project and quickly gain international recognition.”
Website of the Pays de la Loire Region
Project amount: €161,000, including €140,000 in regional funding Duration: 2 years
I am very pleased to receive local support; it is a form of recognition of my career, giving me great hope for my future research. Thanks to this aid, I will be able to recruit staff to assist me and acquire cutting-edge equipment. In addition to facilitating the implementation of my projects, this grant will also help me produce solid results to apply for other significant national and European funding, such as the ERC Consolidator Grant. Every researcher hopes to obtain one!
François Guérard, a researcher within SIRIC ILIAD, recently obtained an ERC Consolidator Grant!
Beyond this funding, how do the Pays de la Loire Region and SIRIC ILIAD support you?
Although they are different funders, the support from SIRIC ILIAD (which also benefits from regional support) and the Pays de la Loire Region complement each other, particularly for the development and characterization of organoid/tumoroid models for our work on high-risk breast tumors. SIRIC ILIAD contributes to the development of the Organim platform, which will facilitate the use and characterization of organoids, improving our understanding of the role of cilia in high-risk breast cancers. Meanwhile, the Pays de la Loire Region has contributed to the creation of an Organoid Research Infrastructure, which partners with Organim.
With Organim, we aim to develop innovative and breakthrough technologies to better understand and predict therapeutic vulnerabilities in aggressive breast cancers. Together, SIRIC ILIAD and the Pays de la Loire Region provide us with all the tools needed to achieve this goal!
