EFFECTS OF ADIPORON ON PROSTATE CANCER CELLS PHENOTYPE: A STUDY EXPLOITING 3D-SPHEROIDS AS CELLULAR MODELS FOR ANALYZING EPITHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION EXPRESSION MARKERS

• Grant number: 24/15575-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Luis Felisbino
• Grantee: Ana Luiza Romano Gabriel
• Supervisor: Nicoletta Gagliano
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/13883-0 - THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ADIPORON AND ITS EFFECTS ON EPITHELIUM-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION OF PROSTATE CANCER CELL PRIMARY CULTURE, BP.MS

Abstract

The second most common cancer and the fifth-highest rate of morbidityand death in males is prostate cancer (PCa). Large-scale genetic analyses conducted over thelast 20 years have shown several genetic alterations that support PCa's deadly and metastaticcharacteristics. The most aggressive form of prostate cancer, castration-resistant metastaticcancer, has a mere 30% 5-year survival rate and is still incurable despite recent advancements.New therapeutic strategies are thus urgently required for this advanced stage of prostatecancer. Several promising therapies are being investigated, such as immune responsereactivation and DNA damage repair. Pathways linked to the metabolism of cancer cells arealso receiving a lot of interest. Brazilian and Italian research groups involved in this projectare focused on cancer cell behavior and interaction with extracellular matrix components.Using a 3D spheroid cell culture methodology, we aim to examine the anti-tumor effects ofAdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor activator, on PCa cells. With this method, we may developan increased understanding of AdipoRon's potential as a therapeutic drug that targets prostatecancer cells