Project title: Tumor xenografts in zebrafish: a new in vivo model for lung carcinoids
Giovanni Vitale, MD, PhD Istituto Auxologico Italiano - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
- Status: Active
- Year(s): 2019
- Grant Type: Pilot
- Research Type: Translational
- Primary Tumor Site: Lung
- Area of Inquiry: Models
Description
Vitale will develop a new laboratory model of lung NETs using zebrafish embryos to study in real time the development of the blood network that supports these tumors. With an established model, researchers will also test responses to targeted therapies.
What question will the researchers try to answer?
Can zebrafish serve as an accurate, effective, and reliable laboratory model of lung NETs to advance our knowledge of tumor biology and serve as a platform for preclinical drug screening?
Why is this important?
The lack of valid laboratory models is a critical obstacle in developing curative therapies for advanced lung carcinoid tumors. Zebrafish embryos are transparent, allowing the examination of important processes (such as the development of tumor blood vessels) to occur in near real-time. The permeability of zebrafish embryos can also support the testing of several antitumor drugs. For these reasons, Vitale hopes to use zebrafish models as an innovative and fast way to test lung NET treatments.
What will researchers do?
Researchers will study tumor cells’ supply system of nutrients and oxygen using fluorescent dye in translucent zebrafish embryos to understand how lung NETs form, grow and spread. Once the zebrafish model of lung NETs is established, researchers will then run experiments to test new targeted therapies to see their effect on cancer cells.
How might this improve the treatment of NETs?
Laboratory models like this help scientists identify and test cancer treatments quickly and easily in the laboratory. Having a zebrafish model of lung NETs could accelerate the search for effective treatments and even generate information to help doctors personalize care for individuals.
What is the next step?
Vitale will publish complete descriptions of the new methodology to develop this innovative zebrafish model in a peer-reviewed scientific journal so that other scientists all over the world can replicate it.
Additional Details
- City: Milan
- Country: Italy
- Grant Duration: 1
DISCLAIMER
NETRF funds laboratory research to understand the development of neuroendocrine tumors and translational research to explore new concepts in treatment. Research grant descriptions and research updates from NETRF are not intended to serve as medical advice. It can take years for research discoveries to be fully validated and approved for patient care. Always consult your health care providers about your treatment options.