Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men over the age of 50 worldwide. Bone metastases, which can occur in many patients (70-80%) at the metastatic stage, pose a major treatment challenge due to the risk of fractures and pain. It also drastically worsens the patient's prognosis. Unfortunately, the exact mechanisms of tumor cell migration into the bone are not fully understood.

In my research project, I use a microfluidic chip to simulate tumor cell invasion in a three-dimensional bone tissue model. In particular, I am focusing on a specific signaling pathway (CXCR4/CXCL12) that may be critical for tumor cell migration. I am also investigating the efficacy of various antagonists of this pathway as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent early tumor cell colonization and the development of manifest metastases.