Development of Patient Derived tumor Xenograft (PDXs) in vivo models to study new combination strategy in rectal cancer

Despite current therapeutic approaches, the treatment of rectal cancer lacks its efficacy for many patients. The aim of this doctoral project is to determine mechanisms of resistance and to investigate novel combinatorial therapies for rectal cancer. Through the development of patient's derived tumor xenograft (PDXs) of rectal cancer patients enrolled in a clinical trial REGINA, aimed at testing the therapeutic combination of Regorafenib (multi-kinase inhibitor), Nivolumab (immune-checkpoint inhibitor) and Short course radiotherapy (SCRT) in early stage rectal cancer, at the Jules Bordet Institute. The doctoral researcher, in collaboration with the TRACE platform at KU Leuven, will characterize in vivo models of rectal cancer, monitor the response to alternative treatments, assess the mechanisms of resistance to therapy.