University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Archives

2019

Young Investigator

Amanda Lipsitt

San Antonio, TX

Executive Summary: Angiosarcoma is a clinically aggressive tumor with a high rate of mortality, especially in the pediatric population. Those affected have a wide age range, but pediatric angiosarcomas and their predilection for aggressive metastasis has been less studied. With angiosarcoma aggressively traveling the roadways of the vessels and body cavities, these children’s prognosis remains poor. Currently there is a significant knowledge gap about this understudied pediatric tumor, especially in characteristics of metastasis and effective treatments, which should be addressed to better care for these children.

Zebrafish provide a valuable live animal model for the study of angiosarcomas. While originally used in development studies, zebrafish have emerged as an important component in the advancement of cancer research. The development of angiosarcoma in zebrafish is possible due to the creation of a tp53 complete-null green florescent protein positive (GFP) zebrafish.

Aims of this project include defining cellular mechanism of metastasis of angiosarcoma tumors in in vivo zebrafish, identifying novel therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of angiosarcoma, and determining molecular mechanisms of action.

By the completion of this project the goals are to:
1. Study characteristics of this tumor, such as in vivo metastasis, so that spread of this disease can be stopped in its tracks
2. Discover new treatments options for better management of this disease and improve the prognosis in these children

By closely studying characteristics of this tumor, such as in vivo metastasis, and potentially discovering treatment options and new mechanisms of action, better management options can eventually be made available to these children who otherwise would succumb quickly to their disease.