Establishment of a Pilot Zebrafish Xenograft Platform for Metabolic Studies in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Principal Investigator: 
Patrícia Manuela Areias da Silva
Leader Institution: 
1H-TOXRUN-CESPU
Research Team: 
Patrícia Manuela Areias da Silva (PI); João Soares Carrola (Co-PI); Cláudia Maria Rosa Ribeiro; Hassan Bousbaa; Luís Miguel Moutinho da Silva Monteiro; Virgínia Maria Ferreira Gonçalves; Ondina Isabel Martins Ribeiro; Patrícia Ferreira
Funding entity: 
CESPU
Budget: 
4 131,15 €
Period covered: 
01.09.2026 - 31.08.2027
Abstract: 

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) remains associated with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic advances, with increasing evidence highlighting the role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor progression and microenvironment modulation. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae have emerged as a cost-effective and powerful in vivo model for cancer research due to their optical transparency, rapid development, and suitability for real-time imaging of tumor-host interactions. This project aims to establish a pilot zebrafish xenograft platform for OSCC research and evaluate the impact of glycolytic modulation on tumor progression. The first task will focus on implementing and optimizing larval xenotransplantation workflow, including OSCC cell labeling, microinjection, and validation of tumor engraftment. The second task will evaluate the effects of glycolytic inhibition using a metabolic modulator on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and dissemination. This one-year pilot study will establish technical capacity for zebrafish-based cancer research and generate preliminary data to support future translational studies on OSCC metabolism and the tumor microenvironment.

Program: 
G12-CESPU-2026