Overcoming paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer

Principal Investigator: 
Patrícia Silva
Leader Institution: 
CESPU
Research Team: 
Patrícia Silva, Hassan Bousbaa, Bárbara Pinto, João Silva, Mariana Nunes, Sara Ricardo
Funding entity: 
CESPU
Budget: 
5.500€
Period covered: 
01.09.2022 - 31.08.2023
Abstract: 

Paclitaxel is one of the most active chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer therapy. By targeting microtubules, paclitaxel induces a cell cycle arrest at mitosis followed by an expected cell death. However, development of resistance to paclitaxel profoundly impacts cancer outcomes by limiting the clinical benefit of cancer treatment. The research focus has been on unveiling promising therapeutic alternatives such as combinations between old cytotoxic agents and molecular-targets inhibitors. The identification of small molecules that may reverse the resistance phenotype of cancer cells and/or sensitize cancer cells to paclitaxel without undesirable side effects will be of great impact for clinical research. In the current study, and using PTX-resistant cell lines, we aim to identify, from a panel of mitotic inhibitors and apoptotic inducers, small molecule candidates that possess anti-cancer synergy with paclitaxel in order to overcome resistant phenotype in ovarian carcinoma and improve patient outcomes.

Program: 
GI2-CESPU-2022