The study of nanoparticle-based therapies for immune modulation in cancer treatment has been the main focus of your research. What motivated you to pursue a scientific and research career in the field of immunology, biomaterials, and nanomedicine?
Actually, when I began my studies, I wanted to focus on immunology. It was only later that my interest in working at the interface of immunology and oncology developed. As such, I decided to deepen my knowledge in these areas and chose to pursue a PhD focused on modelling immune cell profiles to improve cancer therapy outcomes. This is where biomaterials and nanomedicine came into the picture: during my PhD, while working alongside bioengineers, the opportunity arose to use nano-biomaterials as a therapy to modulate immune cells. Thus, I added another dimension to my research. Obviously, the combination of these research fields is complex and demanding, requiring significant study. It would certainly not be possible without the invaluable collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, including colleagues from different areas and institutions. My motivation remains unchanged: the hope that, one day, our research will reach patients and improve upon their quality of life. The advancement of knowledge, the fascination with the unknown and innovation, along with the potential global impact of our work, are also key drivers for pursuing a scientific career.

This is a field of research with extraordinary potential for clinical applications. In your opinion, is it likely that, in the near future, nanoparticle-based therapies and microenvironment manipulation will become a more primary approach to cancer treatment, particularly for types of cancer that are complex to treat or that require multiple approaches?
Yes, there is enormous potential for clinical application. Most approved cancer therapies based on nanoparticles are used for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy by using drugs that target tumour cells more directly and minimise side effects on healthy cells. An example is Abraxane, approved by INFARMED for metastatic breast cancer patients who have not responded to first-line treatments. Regarding nano-therapies that directly modulate the immune microenvironment, no strategies have been approved yet, but several are in clinical trials, ranging from nanoparticles containing molecules capable of modulating the immune system to nanovaccines. When it comes to nanovaccines, I believe we will see a growing number of clinical trials and even, possibly, new therapeutic approaches in the coming years. These vaccines have an advantage, given the success of liposomal mRNA vaccines used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, recent studies from the University of Florida have shown that, even in aggressive cancers such as glioblastoma, where treatment is particularly challenging with low success rates, these nanovaccines could potentially become part of future therapies. In summary, I believe nanomedicine can not only contribute to new therapies, but also improve existing ones in various aspects.

While studying new biomaterial-based immunotherapies for cancer treatment, your very actively involved in several research projects. Could you share with the U.Porto scientific community the projects you consider most innovative and with the greatest potential?
At the moment, I can highlight a project from our research team that is still in its infancy. We are exploring the formulation of a hybrid nanovaccine. This nanovaccine combines nanoparticles with biological vesicles secreted by immune cells for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. The idea is that this nanovaccine can present tumour antigens (specific markers of tumour cells) to immune cells, triggering a specific anti-tumour response while simultaneously releasing molecules that enhance this immune response. I would also like to point out a project led by researcher José Alexandre Ferreira, from the Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group of the IPO Porto Research Centre (CI-IPOP), with whom our team has had the opportunity to collaborate, and which has recently presented promising results. This project led to the development of a nanovaccine based on glycoproteins (sugars) found on the surface of tumour cells. This vaccine was designed to educate the immune system to respond to solid tumours, enabling the elimination of tumour cells and protecting against recurrence. Currently, the vaccine is undergoing preclinical trials for digestive and urological tumours, with the potential for future application in other cancer types.

What are some particularly challenging aspects of research in this scientific area, and what strategies do you adopt to address these challenges?
In my opinion, one of the main challenges limiting faster progress in our research, as well as in science in Portugal in general, is the lack of funding and insufficient public investment in science and innovation. This is a sentiment widely shared by the scientific community. This lack of resources not only impacts the scientific and technological advancement of our country but it also represents a constant pressure as we are continuously seeking funding, essential for the ongoing development of research lines, including the maintenance and enhancement of the involved human resources. Unfortunately, this scenario can compromise the ability to attract and retain scientific talent, which is crucial for the sustainability of science in Portugal.

You’ve spent some time at the prestigious Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium. How would you describe that experience, and what new approaches and perspectives did this international collaboration offer you?
Yes, I had the fortunate opportunity to spend nearly a year in Professor Olivier De Wever’s laboratory, and it was undoubtedly an extremely enriching experience, both professionally and personally. Working in an international environment characterised by scientific excellence and the interface of different disciplines provided me access to new research methodologies and advanced technologies. All of this has facilitated progress in preclinical studies aimed at validating combinatory therapies, in a mouse model of breast cancer, combining nanoparticles with radiotherapy. The fact that this laboratory is embedded in Ghent University Hospital fostered discussions about our research with clinicians, offering me new perspectives on the clinical application of laboratory findings and reinforcing the importance of patient-oriented research. Moreover, this collaboration enabled the development of new joint projects, aimed at understanding mechanisms of radioresistance in triple-negative breast cancer and exploring strategies for novel therapeutic approaches.

With such an active trajectory in international and multidisciplinary collaborations, how would you define the importance of these cooperations in advancing science and developing innovative cancer treatment solutions?
From my perspective, international and multidisciplinary collaborations are fundamental - I would even state they are the key to faster, yet carefully, considered scientific progress across multiple fields. The collaboration inherent to such partnerships allows the integration of diverse areas of knowledge and perspectives, promoting the exchange of ideas that result in innovative solutions and new scientific questions. Additionally, these collaborative networks provide access to advanced technologies, encouraging novel approaches to complex challenges, such as cancer. Particularly, collaborations with research groups based in clinical settings enhance the translational impact of our research and the development of innovative solutions for cancer patients. Currently, our research group has two approved collaborative projects with the Gustave Roussy Institute in Paris, funded through the Pessoa Programme by the portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and Campus France. These projects not only foster scientific and technological exchanges between the research laboratories of both countries but also represent excellent opportunities for both teams to strengthen their cooperative strategies. In conclusion, I believe initiatives like these, along with COST Actions and other European thematic research networks (such as ITN projects like PRIOMIC, in which we participate), are essential drivers of international and multidisciplinary cooperation, powering scientific progress.

You have been an ambassador for the European Association for Cancer Research since 2017. In your opinion, what are the major contemporary challenges faced by cancer research, and what prospects are emerging to address these challenges?
Cancer research faces several contemporary challenges that reflect the complexity of the disease and the need to develop more effective and personalised approaches. One of the main challenges encountered in clinical practice is tumour heterogeneity, both between patients (inter-tumoural) and within a single tumour (intra-tumoural). This means that tumour cells can differ not only in terms of genetic mutations and behaviour during disease progression, but also in their response to treatment. This variability impairs the development of therapies with consistent efficacy across all patients. I believe that advances in sequencing technologies have enabled a more detailed molecular characterisation of tumours, facilitating the development of personalised treatments tailored to the genetic profile of each patient. Another recurring challenge across various cancer types is resistance to treatments. This is one of the significant clinical challenges, as it limits therapeutic options for patients. Resistance often arises from the activation of multiple molecular pathways that tumour cells exploit to promote their survival and proliferation. Efforts to overcome therapy resistance have highlighted that combining different treatments can lead to better patient responses. Moreover, there is a recognised effort in the scientific community to identify biomarkers that can predict therapy response, allowing therapies to be more easily adapted and resistance overcome. Currently, our research group is dedicated to identifying markers of response to radiotherapy in breast and rectal cancer.

You were the winner of the first edition of the "Raquel Seruca Award," promoted by the Portuguese Association for Cancer Research (ASPIC), among other accolades recognising your work. How have these recognitions influenced your research and its visibility, and what motivates you to continue pushing the boundaries in such a demanding and ever-evolving field as cancer immunology?
The awards I have received, such as the "Raquel Seruca Award," are certainly an honour and a form of recognition of the work developed. However, for me, they represent more than just personal achievements. They reflect the collective effort of an entire research team and the collaboration with colleagues and institutions that share the same goal: advancing knowledge and finding new therapeutic solutions for cancer treatment. These recognitions are undeniably important—they help to increase the visibility of our research and open new possibilities for collaboration, which accelerates the progress of our projects. However, my greatest motivation as a scientist is the hope that, one day, our work will reach patients and contribute to their well-being and health improvement. It is about making a meaningful contribution to improving both diagnosis and therapy in a disease as complex as cancer. This is the true purpose that drives me every day, as I strive to overcome challenges and keep up with the astonishingly rapid evolution of this field of research.

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