Evaluation of in vivo models of cancer-induced cachexia via neuroblastoma cell xenograft in 2D and 3D cultures

• Grant number: 21/09867-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Claudiana Lameu
• Grantee: Gabriela Esteves Sbardellotto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/19128-2 - Metastasis mechanisms of childhood tumors to bone marrow, AP.JP

Abstract

Cachexia syndrome is a multifactorial metabolic syndrome that frequently develops in chronic clinical conditions such as cancer. The cachectic condition affects most cancer patients and is responsible for worsening the prognosis of these patients that are already debilitated. Cachexia is associated with the loss of adipose tissue and, especially, muscle tissue, resulting in an expressive loss of body weight. As cachectic syndrome cannot be reversed with dietary supplementation by itself, and no effective treatment is available, the study of this syndrome becomes essential for understanding the pathophysiology of oncologic cachexia and for the study of new anti-chemical treatments. In vivo models are widely used in preclinical studies for the study of diseases, such as cancer, because they are able to simulate human pathology. Therefore, animal models that mimic human pathophysiology are needed to generate more reliable experimental results. Studies have shown that among the existing in vivo cancer cachexia models, the best results were obtained with xenotransplanted animals. However, in addition to the model to be used, it is essential to choose the appropriate cell culture types for the study. Cells in 2D culture are widely used for in vivo studies of cachexia. However, studies show better in vitro results with the use of cells in 3D culture due to the presence of tumor stem cells and greater cellular heterogeneity, which better reproduce the conditions of the human physiological system. For these reasons, this project aims to compare in vivo cancer cachexia models with 3D and 2D cultured cells.(AU)