Main Host Institution: University Medical Center of Montpellier – France

Host Lab: Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells

Project Title: Detection and characterization of viable Circulating Tumor Cells in Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer

Project Background: irculating tumor cells (CTCs) have shown high potential as liquid biopsies for cancer patients. However, the technology for the detection and characterization of CTCs face limitations regarding the heterogeneity and phenotypic changes of these cells. Mainly in NSCLC these CTCs are not yet fully understood, due to the few number that can be capture in the bloodstream. Therefore, in order to surpass these limitations, my PhD project aims to develop a CTCs in vitro culture allowing us to study in deep the mechanism behind metastasis of NSCLC, and at the same time identify how other biosources used as liquid biopsies (ctDNA, Extracellular vesicle and platelets) interact or are related with CTCs.

Project Aim:

• Establishment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) lines and analysis of biosource heterogeneity.
• Characterize the cargo composition of extracellular vesicles released by CTCs in in vitro conditions.