Exosomes as mediators of radioresistance in canine glioma

• Grant number: 19/27144-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo de Francisco Strefezzi
• Grantee: Ricardo de Francisco Strefezzi
• Host Investigator: David John Argyle
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a key treatment modality for brain tumours, but its efficacy is limited by radioresistance. Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been associated with radioresistance and cancer cell survival is influenced by the exosomal content. The purpose of the present research project is to investigate the role of exosomes in the acquisition of resistance to ionising radiation. To test the hypothesis that brain cancer cell-derived exosomes play a role in the acquisition of radioresistance, we will establish a panel of radioresistant (RR) canine and human glioma cell lines. The exosomes derived from the RR cells will be used to treat non-RR cancer cells and their effect on the CSC population will be quantified. Finally, we will profile the exosome content in order to identify possible new targets to cancer treatment. (AU)