Validating multifunctional extracellular vesicle magbeads as liquid biopsies for pediatric sarcomas
Mentor Name: Steven Jonas
This project focuses on leading pilot studies that apply nanotechnology-enabled microfluidic processes being developed by our research team for noninvasive monitoring and quantification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated directly from blood samples obtained from pediatric patients with osteosarcoma (OS). Data collected from patient samples using this platform will be correlated with routine clinical imaging in order to monitor responses to treatment and/or for evidence of disease progression. To accomplish this objective, we will 1) quantify systemic tumor burden by isolating and enumerating tumor-derived EV that express markers specific for OS (e.g., B7H3), using reverse transcription digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR) analysis as a means of assessing treatment response, and 2) estimate metastatic potential based on the activity of metal metalloproteases (MMP) present on the EV membrane. In OS patients, the activities of MMP-2,9, and 14 will be evaluated over time and compared with clinical imaging to determine whether there is a correlation with metastatic potential.
