Suppress-OS: Targeting Osteoclast-Tumour Interactions to Suppress Osteosarcoma Metastasis
Wendy Gomez, Dr Helen Roberts, Dr Song Wen
Middlesex University
Follow-on funding (January 2025- January 2029)


BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH PROJECT
Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, becomes more challenging when it spreads, reducing the chance of survival. The Robert’s lab hypothesise that OS establishes itself in bones by interacting with osteoclasts, specialised cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue. Disrupting this interaction allows osteosarcoma to spread to the lungs.
In Daniella’s PhD project, the Roberts lab identified 'Migratory Bodies' (MBs) as a valuable laboratory model for studying the spread of osteosarcoma. Osteoclast factors slow down MBs, but the drug zoledronic acid (used to treat osteoporosis) can counteract this effect.
The team now look to explore this further by using genetic engineering to unravel how osteosarcoma spreads, with a particular focus on potential treatment targets STAT3 and MMP9.
Additionally, the team plan to examine osteosarcoma metabolism to enhance their understanding of metastasis. This research holds promise for refining osteosarcoma treatment strategies, incorporating insights into osteoclast interactions, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for patients.
PRELIMINARY DATA
This project is starting soon and marks our first follow-on funding project, where the teams behind our previous successfully funded projects were invited to apply for funding to ensure that the most successful of these projects remain supported and continue to grow.
The hypothesis for Daniella’s PhD was that osteoclasts (cells that break down bone) are key modulators of osteosarcoma cell migration. The image below shows osteoclast cultures identified by the gold-standard Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP) staining technique. TRAP is an enzyme marker for osteoclasts, thus TRAP staining allows identification of osteoclasts under microscope. The green arrows point at osteoclasts.