Eleonora Dondossola
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology
Bone metastases are a lethal consequence for prostate and kidney cancer patients, mainly due to the emergence of resistance and treatment failure. The interaction between tumor and stromal cells has recently been identified as a key factor in supporting both disease progression and treatment resistance. A major challenge in addressing this cooperation, however, is the lack of suitable model systems that leverage a bone-centric approach to test therapeutic options. Therefore, to reduce morbidity and ultimately eliminate cancer, it is critical to establish biologically informed preclinical models that provide a mechanistic understanding of tumor progression in bone and treatment outcomes. My laboratory focuses on modeling and targeting the mechanisms of progression and therapy response in these bone metastatic tumors, with a particular focus on the role of bidirectional tumor-stroma communication.
Our multidisciplinary research program uses advanced in vivo tissue engineering models, intravital multiphoton microscopy, in vitro 3D organotypic systems, and computational oncology. Our goal is to apply these models to identify the cellular and molecular determinants of response and resistance to targeted radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and kinase inhibition, and to develop novel treatment options, with the ultimate goal of clinical translation to improve patient survival and quality of life.
Education & Training
PhD - UT MD Anderson Cancer Center - 2016