Descripción del proyecto
Seguimiento basado en IRM de la viroterapia en modelos de tumores encefálicos
El glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) es el tipo más común de tumor encefálico mortal en adultos. Un enfoque terapéutico prometedor para esta enfermedad consiste en virus oncolíticos (VO) que infectan de forma selectiva, se multiplican y destruyen específica y únicamente las células tumorales. Para que la viroterapia oncolítica sea satisfactoria se necesita un seguimiento frecuente y no invasivo de todo el proceso. El objetivo del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos OncoViroMRI es desarrollar una aplicación basada en la resonancia magnética (IRM) para obtener imágenes precisas, cuantitativas y rápidas de la administración del VO y su propagación en modelos tumorales pertinentes. La metodología interdisciplinaria propuesta conlleva la modificación genética del virus para ser detectado por resonancia magnética, el desarrollo de métodos de aprendizaje automático para mejorar el proceso de seguimiento de las imágenes del virus y, por último, la evaluación de la terapia para tumores encefálicos mediante modelos murinos.
Objetivo
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of brain tumor found in adults and is fatal in all cases. A very promising therapeutic approach for GBM is the use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) that selectively infect, replicate in, and destroy tumor cells, while sparing the surrounding normal cells. Nevertheless, to achieve successful oncolytic virotherapy, frequent non-invasive monitoring of the process must be performed. This is crucial for gaining a better understanding of the interactions between the virus and its tumor-host and predicting a therapeutic response. Thus, the development of a non-invasive method, capable of accurately quantifying the location and extent of the viral spread in the tumor is highly required and is of great importance. Accordingly, the main research goal of this action is to develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)- based method for accurate, quantitative, and rapid imaging of OVs delivery, and spread in clinically relevant tumor models. The devised interdisciplinary methodology includes: genetically modifying the therapeutic virus to be detectable in MRI; developing machine learning methods to increase the speed, specificity, and sensitivity in image-monitoring the virus; and evaluating the established methods using mice models of brain tumor therapy. The allocated training and research environment is optimal for achieving the proposal goals: an outgoing phase at Harvard Medical School, a secondment at a leading clinical MRI company (Insightec), enhancing translation potential, and a return phase at a leading university (Technion), ensuring the transport of knowledge back to the EU. The envisioned technology could be expanded to various additional clinical conditions, and its dissemination could improve patient care. The unique skill set to be acquired by the experienced researcher, would allow claiming a distinct niche of knowledge, increasing competency to a tenure-track position, and a research career in the EU.
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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel