In Vitro Validation of Palbociclib in Human and Canine Osteosarcoma: From In Silico Analysis to Cellular Efficacy

• Grant number: 25/11236-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Fonseca Alves
• Grantee: Sofia Laufer Amorim
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer is a disease with a high impact on public health and a growing incidence.Comparative Oncology uses dogs with spontaneous neoplasms as natural models for the study of human cancer, promoting mutual advancements. Osteosarcoma (OSA) is an aggressive and highly metastatic bone cancer common to both humans and dogs, with biological similarities and persistent therapeutic challenges. The overall survival of human patients with metastatic disease is less than five years.This project is based on a previous in silico study that analyzed transcriptomic data from human and canine OSA to identify shared differentially expressed genes between the two species. Bioinformatic analysis predicted drugs capable of reversing this gene signature, and Palbociclib was identified as the main therapeutic candidate.The aim of this proposal is to evaluate in vitro the therapeutic potential of Palbociclib in human and canine OSA cell lines, validating the in silico prediction. The specific objectives include assessing the action of Palbociclib on cell proliferation and invasion.In vitro tests will be conducted using human (SAOS-2) and canine (D17) OSA cell lines with varying concentrations of Palbociclib. The evaluation will include cell viability assays (ATP-TCA) and migration/invasion tests (Transwell). It is expected that Palbociclib's efficacy in inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion of human and canine OSA cells will be validated in vitro, supporting a potential translational and comparative study.These results will contribute to the advancement of treatment for oncologic patients with OSA, both human and canine.Keywords: predictive factor, gene signature reversal, anti-tumor drug