Developing marine worm M101 hemoglobin extract for cancer therapy

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Project of $806,600 over 3 years

• Supported by CQDM through:
  Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE)
• And by a co-funding partner:
  • HEMARINA Canada 
  • Mitacs
  • Chaire de recherche en oncologie ORL Dr Azar-Angelil
  • Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM)

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Challenges

Challenge 1 : The CRCHUM’s oncology biobank is an essential resource enabling fundamental research projects to be rapidly aligned with real clinical needs. The first step in biobanking living tissue is optimal preservation of the biopsy, maintaining structural integrity and minimizing cellular stress.

Challenge 2 : Hypotoxic tumors are resistant to radiotherapy. Ultrasound-mediated microbubble cavitation (UTMC) increases tumor perfusion locally. The combination of UTMC and M101, an extracellular hemoglobin isolated from the marine worm Arenicola Marina, has the potential to increase tumor oxygenation and thus the efficacy of radiotherapy.

Challenge 3 : The effects of M101 on cell fate under normoxic and hypoxic oxygenation conditions are not well known, particularly in the context of radiotherapy.

Solutions

Solution 1 : The research team proposes to integrate HEMO₂life®, an additive developed and commercialized by Hémarina that can oxygenate tissues, with the biopsy preservation solutions currently in use, and to compare a series of biomarkers with the aim of demonstrating increased viability and better preservation of functionality.

Solution 2 : The research team will test in preclinical mouse models whether M101 alone or in combination with UTMC treatment can increase the efficacy of radiotherapy in hypoxic tumors.

Solution 3 : The research team will study cell fate in vitro at different oxygenation levels before and after radiotherapy. 

Achievements/Impact

1 – HEMO₂life® could be added to the biobanking protocols at the CRCHUM and elsewhere, thereby improving the treatments provided to patients.

2 – Since both technologies are individually applicable in the clinic, this study could validate the potential of M101 +/- UTMC in the clinic. 

3 – By characterizing cell fates (normoxic and hypoxic) following M101 treatment and radiotherapy in human avatar models in vitro (Objective 1) and in murine models treated in vivo (Objective 2), the team will lay the foundations for futures clinical applications of this promising approach.