Imunosensor development for the detection of prostate circulating tumor cells using monoclonal antibodies

• Grant number: 17/20404-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Andrei Moroz
• Grantee: Marina de Lima Fontes
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed Cancer and the second cause of Cancer related deaths among men in America and in Western European countries. In Brazil, the number of new cases of PCa estimated for 2016 was 61,200, with an average survival of 24 months in patients who develop the most lethal form of PCa. Its early detection is of fundamental importance and, for this, monoclonal antibodies are perfect tools, with an important role in the therapy, diagnosis and staging of the disease. However, classical techniques for obtaining monoclonal antibodies may not be able to select or increase the probability of obtaining antigen-specific antibodies that are directly related to tumor metastasis processes. In this context, this project proposes to use a novel technique, called Multiple Tolerization Subtractive Immunization (MTSI), developed at my laboratory, which helps selecting highly aggressive and/or rarely expressed antigens on the surface of tumor cells. The best antibodies, once produced and characterized, will be used as candidates on a diagnostic platform using the technology of immunosensors, based on nanostructured fibroin films. These sensors may help in the clinical management of this disease, when detecting and characterizing circulating tumor cells, facilitating a quick diagnosis of recurrence or metastasis. (AU)