Facts

Contact person:
Rita Del Giudice
Financer:
  • Knowledge Foundation
Responsible at MaU:
Rita Del Giudice
Project members at MaU:
Time frame:
01 May 2025 - 30 April 2029
Faculty/department:
Research environment :
Research subject:

Project description

The proposed PhD project aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) nanoparticles, particularly reconstituted HDL (rHDL), in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). HDLs are primarily known for their role in cardiovascular health, given their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol-transporting functions. However, emerging research suggests that HDL and rHDL nanoparticles may have therapeutic applications in cancer. OSCC is a prevalent and aggressive form of cancer, with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Notably, patients with OSCC show significantly reduced blood levels of HDL, suggesting a link between HDL dysregulation and cancer progression. Despite this, the potential anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of rHDL in OSCC remain unexplored.

This project seeks to fill that gap by studying the effects of rHDL on 3D cell models and human OSCC clinical samples. The study will assess how these nanoparticles influence OSCC cell viability, induce apoptosis, and affect cholesterol metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Mechanistic studies will focus on how rHDL modulates cancer cell metabolism, migration, and the tumor microenvironment. A key aspect of the project will be the optimization of the phospholipid and protein composition of rHDL formulations to improve therapeutic efficacy. The clinical relevance of these findings will be validated using human OSCC tissue samples, bridging the gap between lab research and potential therapeutic applications.

In the short term, this project is expected to demonstrate the efficacy of rHDL nanoparticles in reducing OSCC cell viability and influencing key molecular pathways in both 3D models and human OSCC clinical samples. In the long term, the study aims to develop optimized rHDL formulations with enhanced therapeutic potential. These findings could lay the foundation for future preclinical and clinical studies, potentially offering less toxic, more targeted treatment options for OSCC patients.