Standardization of a Platform of Preclinical Models Derived From NSCLC Patients to Investigate the Efficacy of New Nutraceutical Compounds Used as Monotherapy or in Combination With Immunotherapeutics or Chemo-immunotherapy

Aimed at conducting research and development activities to characterize nutraceutical compounds with reduced environmental impact, increased bioavailability, and efficacy, including in cases of resistance to traditional anticancer therapies, thanks to innovative microencapsulation technology; the standardization of a platform of patient-derived organotypic models to evaluate the efficacy of new compounds, in combination with immunotherapy, in lung cancer; the implementation of advanced traceability models and products throughout the supply chain leading to the use of naturally derived products for human health.

Three different work packages conducted individually by the individual partners.

Specifically, the IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena will lead and coordinate the activities related to the standardization of preclinical models derived from NSCLC patients to evaluate the efficacy of new nutraceutical compounds used as monotherapy or in combination with immunotherapies. In detail, the aim is to standardize and analyze with spatial transcriptomics a tissue slice and tumoroid platform to evaluate the efficacy of new microencapsulated nutraceutical compounds in combination with immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer. The prospective, non-pharmacological, biological pilot study involves the collection and use of samples from prospectively recruited patients affected by untreated non-small cell lung cancer who have undergone curative surgery at the Thoracic Oncology Unit of the Regina Elena Cancer Institute in Rome. Samples will be appropriately analyzed and will meet the inclusion criteria.