Two studies led by IBEC have successfully mimicked the transdifferentiation process of the neuroblastoma vasculature in in vitro models. These models, one in 2D and the other on a microfluidic chip, provide platforms for identifying new biomarkers and designing effective therapies against this type of cancer.
The project focuses on developing a chip that will serve as a model for testing new drugs to treat neuroblastoma, a childhood brain cancer. The research has received €200,000 in funding and is led by Aránzazu Villasante, Senior Researcher at IBEC.
On February 6-7, the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) organized the first International Symposium on transdisciplinary approaches for Neuroblastoma therapy, an event that brought together more than a hundred experts at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. On International Childhood Cancer Day, this event takes on special relevance due to its innovative … Read more
IBEC contributes to elucidate how the rigidity of the tumor extracellular matrix affects the aggressiveness of neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor that affects mainly children. This opens the door to generate more accurate models to predict tumor development in patients and to work in the design of new treatments. Neuroblastoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in the first year of life. It is caused by a genetic mutation from immature nerve cells (neuroblasts) that the fetus produces as part of its development process.