Final Report Summary - POLYDORM (Uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanism of tumor dormancy for the rational design of theranostic nanomedicines)
To that end, we created several models of patient-derived cancer models mimicking pairs of dormant versus fast-growing, primary versus metastatic and drug-sensitive versus drug-resistant cancers using cutting-edge techniques of patient-derived xenografts, 3D printing and genetically-modified mouse models. We investigated the molecular changes in tumor-host interactions that govern the escape from dormancy and contribute to tumor progression. Those led to the discovery of novel targets and provided important tools for the design of novel cancer nano-sized theranostics (therapeutics and diagnostics). The libraries of precision nanomedicines designed and synthesized in our lab in the scope of the PolyDorm project were used to successfully deliver various therapeutic agents to multiple cancer types including osteosarcoma, glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer. These novel nanomedicines specifically accumulated at the tumor site, inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival, without inducing adverse effects.
We hypothesize that the acquired knowledge from this multidisciplinary research strategy will revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat cancer.