Marc Hennequart, researcher at UNamur, receives a Grant from the Fondation contre le cancer (Cancer Foundation)

While in 2023 Marc Hennequart had already received a Collen Francqui Grant, recently his work has received significant financial support from the Fondation contre le cancer, which has awarded his team a national grant covering four years of research. This funding will enable Marc Hennequart and his collaborators to develop new therapeutic approaches and identify early metabolic biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late, when symptoms appear and the disease is already at an advanced stage. To counter this reality, Professor Hennequart's team is focusing its efforts on the early metabolic changes that occur in pancreatic cells. In particular, the project aims to understand the transition of pancreatic acinar cells into ductal cells, a crucial step leading to cancerous development.

"Established tumors are highly adaptable and resistant to treatment. This is why we are interested in the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells at an early stage, when they are less able to adapt to targeted interventions," explains Marc Hennequart. These studies could pave the way for more effective, less invasive treatments.

To carry out this project, the team is collaborating with Professor Badaoui, a pancreas specialist at Mont-Godinne University Hospital. Together, they will analyze blood and tissue samples to detect early biomarkers, which could enable faster, more accurate diagnosis. "This funding is essential, as it guarantees budget security over four years and enables us to recruit staff to expand our research capabilities," says Professor Hennequart.

This highly competitive national Grant is an important recognition for Marc Hennequart, who joined UNamur after a landmark international career. With a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UCLouvain and a former researcher at the Francis Crick Institute in London, he brings valuable expertise to the university.

"As a young academic, receiving this support from the Cancer Foundation is a major milestone. It reflects the quality of our work and motivates us to continue our efforts to advance research in Belgium", he concludes.

With this support, UNamur reaffirms its commitment to innovation and the fight against serious diseases such as pancreatic cancer.