The therapeutic landscape in breast cancer has benefited from the development of variate antibody-based therapies. Yet, pre-clinical models capable of recapitulating the complex crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are needed to properly address the effect of such therapies. In this work, we devised cell models able to accommodate different cell populations (3D-3), by adding stromal and immune components to multicellular tumor spheroids. The models were microencapsulated in alginate and kept under stirred conditions, to recreate critical hallmarks of the TME.
O tratamento de cancro de mama tem beneficiado do desenvolvimento de várias terapias à base de anticorpos. Contudo, para avaliar corretamente o efeito destas terapias são necessários modelos pré-clínicos capazes de representar as complexas interações que correm dentro do microambiente tumoral (TME). Neste trabalho, desenvolvemos modelos celulares capazes de acomodar diferentes tipos de células (3D-3), ao adicionar uma componente estromal e imunitária a esferoides tumorais multicelulares.
Ewing’s Sarcoma (ES) is the second most frequent bone tumour in children and young adults, with very aggressive behaviour and significant disease recurrence. To better study the disease and find new therapies, experimental models are needed. In this work, we developed a novel ES cell culture method based on 3D spheroids. Our culture method maintains cell viability and ES intrinsic characteristics preservation for at least one month, allowing ex-vivo testing of anticancer drugs.
Ovarian carcinoma remains a major therapeutic challenge due to its tendency to develop resistance after initial response to chemotherapy. In this work, a collaboration between iBET, AbbVie and IPOLFG, we developed ovarian carcinoma patient-derived explant (OvC-PDE) cultures that retained architecture and cell type heterogeneity of the original tumour. This patient-derived model have potential applications in the study of drug response and resistance mechanisms and in the development of innovative precision medicine approaches.
Ovarian carcinoma remains a major therapeutic challenge due to its tendency to develop resistance after initial response to chemotherapy. In this work, a collaboration between iBET, AbbVie and IPOLFG, we developed ovarian carcinoma patient-derived explant (OvC-PDE) cultures that retained architecture and cell type heterogeneity of the original tumour. This patient-derived model have potential applications in the study of drug response and resistance mechanisms and in the development of innovative precision medicine approaches.
The main therapeutic strategy used in 75% of all breast cancers targets estrogen receptor α (ERα). However, the mechanisms underlying ERα therapeutic resistance are still elusive hampered by the challenges in developing suitable experimental models. In this work, a novel ex-vivo culture strategy was developed. This strategy is based on tissue microstructures encapsulation in alginate, enabling maintenance of original tissue structure, cell populations and extracellular matrix, thus recapitulating the tumoral microenvironment in which ERα signaling is sustained.
A principal estratégia terapêutica utilizada em 75% dos cancros da mama tem como alvo o recetor de estrogénio alfa (ERα). Em alguns casos, contudo, esta terapêutica mostra-se ineficaz sendo que os mecanismos associados a esta resistência são ainda pouco conhecidos. Neste trabalho, os investigadores desenvolveram uma nova estratégia de cultura de tecido tumoral que permite a manutenção da estrutura original dos tecidos, incluindo populações celulares e matriz extracelular.