Main Host Institution: University Medical Center of Montpellier – France

Host Lab: Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells

Project Title: Enrichment, Enumeration and Characterization of Viable CTCs at the Single Cell Level in NSCLC

Project Background: Liquid biopsies have been introduced as a potential renovation in cancer diagnosis. It is emerging as a minimally invasive, safe, and sensitive approach. Several blood-based bio-sources are currently being evaluated as liquid biopsies, including circulating tumour cells (CTCs), circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), extracellular vesicles, and tumour-educated platelets (TEPs). At ELBA consortium, we will focus on the optimization of procedures and the development of isolation, fractionation and treatment tests of individual bio-sources and downstream analysis. We aim to enable the production of comprehensive data for optimal biomarker discovery and the development of biomarker-based assays for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. During my project, I will mainly optimize the EPIDROP technology for NSCLC patients. This innovative test is a new EPISPOT test designed to detect viable CTCs at the single cell level. In addition, identification and validation of biomarkers to select appropriate treatments, such as PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Also, I am going to explore the molecular profile of TEPs and how they will be educated in blood stream.

Project Aim:

• The optimization of EPIDROP technology to detect viable CTCs at the single cell level for NSCLC.
• The identification and validation of biomarkers to select accurate therapy for NSCLC patients.
• The exploration of Transcriptome and Proteome profile of TEPs and CTCs.