Chondrosarcoma is one of the most common types of bone cancer, often occurring in the hips, ribs, and long bones. While some forms of chondrosarcoma are slower-growing and less aggressive, the "high-grade" version can be particularly deadly as it tends to spread to other parts of the body.
Surgery is the main treatment for chondrosarcoma. However, for advanced or spreading cases, surgery becomes less effective. Additional therapies like radiation and chemotherapy have limited impact, as the aggressive tumour cells do not respond well.
‘This underscores the urgent need to understand the mechanisms that drive chondrosarcoma tumours,’ says Udo Oppermann, Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of the Laboratory Division at the Botnar Institute for Musculoskeletal Sciences at NDORMS. ‘If better understood, it might provide clues for an “achilles heel” in chondrosarcoma and give us the insights to develop new therapeutic strategies to help patients, especially those with the more aggressive forms of the disease.’
The new four-year programme, funded by the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT), will take a multipronged approach broken into three different work packages. First, the researchers will collect clinical data and tumour samples from patients, building a comprehensive specimen and clinical database.
Next, they will use advanced techniques to closely examine each individual cell within the tumour samples, aiming to uncover the molecular mechanisms that drive the progression from less aggressive to more deadly forms of chondrosarcoma.
In parallel, the team will test existing and experimental drugs on chondrosarcoma cell lines and patient-derived "organoid" models in the lab, searching for new therapeutic candidates that could be taken forward into clinical trials.
The research will be guided by input from chondrosarcoma patients and their advocates. Patient representatives will be involved in regular meetings to ensure the research aligns with the needs and perspectives of those affected by the disease.
‘Partnering with patients is essential to make sure our research has the greatest possible impact for those living with chondrosarcoma,’ said Udo. ‘Their insights will help us communicate our findings beyond the scientific community and explore ways to rapidly translate our discoveries into new treatments.’
Dr Viqui Vinader, Head of Research at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said: ‘This study represents an important step forward in chondrosarcoma research. For too long, patients have faced limited treatment options and poor outcomes. By helping to uncover significant weaknesses in chondrosarcoma, Professor Oppermann’s project offers new hope of better understanding the disease and developing targeted, effective treatments that could save lives. We are incredibly proud to fund this work which ensures patients remain at the heart of every discovery.’
The researchers are hopeful that this multifaceted approach will yield important breakthroughs in understanding chondrosarcoma and identifying promising new drug targets. If successful, it could pave the way for more effective, personalised therapies that could dramatically improve outcomes for patients with this devastating bone cancer.