Development of Patient-Derived Cultures from Ovarian Cancer Malignant Ascites for Ex Vivo Drug Testing
Anfitriã: Ana Emanuela Cisne de Lima (Doutoranda em Ciências Biomédicas no IUCS-CESPU)
Palestrante: Mariana Nunes
Afiliação: Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit (UCIBIO), Toxicologic Pathology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
24 de abril | 12h
Campus Universitário de Gandra | Ed. 2 | Sala 2203
ENTRADA LIVRE
Resumo:
Malignant ascites (MA) frequently occur in advanced ovarian cancer (OC) and remain a largely underexplored yet invaluable resource for cancer research. This study investigates the potential of MA as a source of biological material for creating patient-derived cultures, referred to as MA-derived cultures, which aim to enrich our understanding of OC biology and enhance personalized therapeutic approaches. We successfully isolated viable cells from MA samples through centrifugation, establishing HGSC patient-derived cultures that closely mimic the molecular, genetic, and histological features of the original tumours. The results show that using a standard organoid medium (SOM) combined with autologous supernatant from MA significantly improves the growth, viability, and long-term maintenance of these cultures. This blend not only promotes the robust expansion of patient-derived models but also increases their usefulness as a platform for personalized drug screening and therapeutic evaluations. Utilizing MA for the cultivation of patient-specific OC models presents a promising path toward advancing precision medicine, allowing for more targeted and effective treatments tailored to individual patient needs. Harnessing MA-derived cultures could transform the creation of new therapeutic strategies, enhance clinical outcomes, and aid the transition from preclinical models to clinical applications in OC.
Nota Biográfica:
Mariana Oliveira Nunes earned her PhD in Molecular Pathology and Genetics in 2025 at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto. Her doctoral thesis, “Drug Repurposing as a Strategy to Overcome Ovarian Cancer Chemoresistance,” explored innovative approaches to address the challenge of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. During her PhD, she focused on repurposing existing drugs as a potential solution for treating chemoresistant ovarian cancer, offering promising insights into alternative therapeutic strategies. She previously completed a master’s degree in Oncology in 2019 at ICBAS, University of Porto, where she developed a strong foundation in cancer research. This academic progression laid the groundwork for her deep interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer biology, particularly ovarian cancer, and in exploring therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes. Currently, Dr. Nunes is a research collaborator at the Toxicologic Pathology Research Lab, part of the Applied Biomolecular Sciences Unit (UCIBIO)-University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS)-Advanced Polytechnic and University Cooperative (CESPU). In her current role, she is involved in several key research initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of ovarian cancer. Dr. Mariana Nunes has authored 14 peer-reviewed articles, contributing significantly to the scientific community’s understanding of ovarian cancer. She has an H-index of 8 (Scopus), which reflects her influential role in advancing cancer research.
