Marxa Figueiredo
Title:
Associate Professor
PhD Granting Institution:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Contact:
Email Address: mlfiguei@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 764-494-5790
Lab Website Link: https://vet.purdue.edu/discovery/figueiredo/index.php
Primary Training Group:
Cancer Biology
Secondary Training Groups:
Chemical Biology, Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Research Areas:
Immunotherapy • bone metastatic tumors • repair of bone in tumor and arthritis models • mesenchymal stem cells Our laboratory develops strategies to leverage the immune system and promote repair of bone while controlling inflammation or tumor cell viability. The overall therapy goals are to (a) treat tumors and repair bone in tumor models and (b) treat and repair cartilage/bone in arthritis models. We have several ongoing projects to achieve these goals, including: 1. Immunotherapies such as targeted cytokines to control tumor inflammation and mini binders, for which we use gene delivery as a tool; 2. Targeting of receptors such as the laminin receptor using small molecules discovered in our laboratory, and 3. Understanding the biology of mesenchymal stem cells and how to utilize them as therapies.
Current Projects:
Project 1 is centered on disrupting immune: bone malignant interactions using multifunctional cytokine sonodelivery. We are developing more effective therapies for inflammatory bone loss (arthritis) as well as metastatic prostate cancer using intramuscular sonodelivery of targeted cytokine IL-27, mini binders, as well as developing novel NK cell engagers in collaboration with Matosevic (Pharmacy) and Emrick (UMass). We utilize modern optical and other noninvasive molecular imaging to detect therapeutic delivery and efficacy. Project 2 examines the biology and potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) for tissue regeneration, including bone repair and for halting tumor promotion. Conversely, for understanding how stroma can promote tumor growth, we examine the role of ASC in these mechanisms, and how to introduce novel immune agents such as oncolytic Ad or IL-27 for ASC delivery to tumors. Project 3 is focused on the development of small molecules and peptides with a broad translational application for treating bone, cartilage regeneration, and anti-inflammatory effects. Small molecules in development mimic the interaction between Pigment Epithelial Growth Factor (PEDF) and its receptor or interactions in the STING or TAK1 pathways. Novel nanoparticles are also in development for inflammatory therapy to deliver the small molecules of interest in collaboration with Ristroph and Sintim labs.
Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:
Our lab is deeply committed to interdisciplinary research at the interface of immunotherapy, bone metastatic tumors, musculoskeletal repair, and drug discovery. We integrate expertise from gene therapy, stem cell biology, molecular imaging, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology to develop innovative solutions for complex diseases.