Studying the pancreatic tumor microenvironment and gene editing technologies

• Grant number: 23/16116-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: June 03, 2024
• End date: September 04, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Luis Antonio Justulin Junior
• Grantee: Renato Mattos
• Supervisor: Edna Cukierman
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/01714-9 - Functional characterization of miR-184 in the prostate of rats subjected to maternal malnutrition. Potential participation in the developmental origin of prostate cancer, BP.MS

Abstract

The pancreas, a crucial organ implicated in digestion and blood sugar regulation, is frequently impacted by aggressive forms of cancer that exhibit rapid dissemination to neighboring tissues and organs. Pancreatic cancer poses a considerable challenge for early detection, often resulting in delayed diagnoses and advanced disease stages, thereby contributing to elevated mortality rates. Prognostically, it is anticipated to be the most lethal cancer within the next seven years, instigating significant concern within the medical community. The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes an intricate network of proteins and carbohydrates, furnishing structural and biochemical support to adjacent cells. In the context of cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer, the ECM assumes a pivotal role in tumor development, progression, and response to treatment. The ECM's dense and fibrotic composition creates a sheltered environment for cancer cells, impeding the penetration of therapeutic agents into the tumor. Pancreatic tumors manifest a distinctive desmoplastic reaction, characterized by an excessive proliferation of fibrous tissue within the ECM. This phenomenon is implicated in the aggressive behavior of pancreatic cancer, promoting tumor growth, invasion, and resistance to treatment. In response, concerted efforts by researchers and healthcare professionals are underway to enhance early detection methodologies, refine treatment approaches, and unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with pancreatic cancer. This project specifically aims to assess matrices generated by fibroblasts sourced from pancreatic tumor tissue, utilizing diverse techniques pertinent to the growth and characterization of three-dimensional (3D) matrices. Additionally, gene editing techniques will be applied to modify the structure of the 3D matrix, which will subsequently undergo characterization. The insights derived from this technique are deemed crucial for elucidating the mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer.