CaTCh

Pre-clinical evaluation of novel chemical compounds for cancer treatment: tackling unmet clinical needs

CaTCh comprises an exhaustive, well-structured broad analysis of the biological activity of innovative compounds potentially active in cancer-related targets. A robust, thorough and predictive investigation will be undertaken, integrating data from in vitro and in vivo models for drug screening. In vitro studies will include a first analysis with a considerable number of compounds and large panels of cancer cell lines from various cancer models carefully chosen according to existing therapy resistance- related mutations. A cytotoxicity screening in several normal cell types will next anticipate possible undesirable effects of most promising agents. In vivo, lead drugs (maximum 2) and different mouse models will be used, including genetically engineered mouse models already available to the team, and patient-derived xenografts to better recreate the molecular and cellular heterogeneity of human tumors. This will provide valuable mechanistic insight on drug action and allow detailed tumor response monitoring, revealing biomarkers of response and/or resistance.

 

Universidade do Minho (UM)
Maria Alice Gonçalves Carvalho, Co-PI (CQUM)

IPATIMUP – Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto
Sérgia Maria Aguiar Velho, PI

INL – International Nanotechnology Laboratory
Marta Isabel Abreu Oliveira