Researchers affiliated with the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO) are among the finalists for the 17th Octavio Frias de Oliveira Award, organized by Folha de S.Paulo in partnership with the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo (Icesp).
The award comprises three categories. In the Oncology Research and Technological Innovation in Oncology categories, scientists may submit papers published during the previous year or, in the case of Technological Innovation, patents filed within the same period. The third category, Personality of the Year, is selected by a panel of experts and announced during the award ceremony on August 12, 2026.
C2PO has five members competing this year. The nominated studies were conducted by research groups in which these members participated.
Category: Oncology Research
In the Oncology Research category, Prof. Eduardo Magalhães Rego (FMUSP, Icesp) is one of the authors of the study High mtDNA Content Identifies Oxidative Phosphorylation-Driven Acute Myeloid Leukemias and Represents a Therapeutic Vulnerability, published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
The study identified that, in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, elevated mitochondrial DNA content is a biomarker associated with tumor resistance to chemotherapy. This finding helps predict which patients are more likely to be resistant to chemotherapy, enabling more effective treatment planning. Moreover, it reveals a biological vulnerability that can be exploited in the development of new therapeutic strategies.
“The central hypothesis of this work stems from a biologically fundamental observation: mitochondria are the primary site of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and leukemic cells exploit this energy pathway to sustain proliferation and chemotherapy resistance. Our study shows that mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) distinguishes subgroups of patients whose leukemic cells exhibit increased dependence on OXPHOS. In practical terms, this means that measuring mtDNAc provides a simple, reproducible biomarker—one that can readily be incorporated into routine laboratory practice—to identify patients with an ‘OXPHOS-high’ metabolic profile associated with higher disease recurrence rates. Our findings suggest that tumor bioenergetics is not merely an accessory feature but a functional determinant of leukemic behavior. From a therapeutic standpoint, the study transforms a biological discovery into a clinical opportunity. Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I using metformin, an inexpensive and widely available drug, reversed chemotherapy resistance and enhanced the activity of anti-leukemia agents such as venetoclax. These results reinforce the concept that modulating how leukemic cells produce energy can restore treatment sensitivity.” – Prof. Eduardo Magalhães Rego
Category: Technological Innovation in Oncology
In the Technological Innovation in Oncology category, three studies involving C2PO members are among the finalists.
Prof. Valtencir Zucolotto (IFSC-USP) is competing with the study Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Targeted Therapy, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
The innovation consists of biomimetic nanoparticles designed to deliver chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of glioblastoma—one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer—through the nasal route, allowing the treatment to bypass several biological barriers and reach the brain more directly. Compared with oral administration, this approach may be more effective, require lower drug doses, and produce fewer side effects.
“Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, and current treatments remain of limited effectiveness. Our Nanomedicine Group (GNano/USP) developed an innovative technology based on biomimetic nanosystems capable of delivering the drug temozolomide directly to the brain through intranasal administration, avoiding invasive procedures. The biomimetic nanoparticles were coated with components derived from the tumor’s own cells, enabling them to recognize and target cancer cells more precisely through homologous adhesion. The technology reduced tumor growth, decreased the formation of new blood vessels that nourish the tumor, and enhanced drug delivery to tumor cells. This unprecedented work opens an important avenue toward more effective and less aggressive therapies for patients with glioblastoma.” – Prof. Valtencir Zucolotto
Prof. Leticia Veras Costa Lotufo (ICB-USP) and Prof. João Agostinho Machado Neto (ICB-USP) are finalists with the study Cephalochromin Effects in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells: Apoptosis Induction and Modulation of Survival Pathways, published in the Journal of Natural Products.
The researchers found that, in vitro, cephalochromin—a natural compound derived from fungi—was able to induce cancer cell death in breast cancer cell lines, particularly triple-negative breast cancer, one of the disease’s most aggressive subtypes. In addition, the compound proved effective as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, enhancing the effects of chemotherapy drugs already used in clinical practice.
“This study highlights the enormous potential of Brazilian biodiversity as a source of new bioactive molecules for the development of innovative cancer therapies. Cephalochromin, a natural compound produced by endophytic fungi, was isolated from a microorganism associated with a native Brazilian plant, demonstrating how the country’s biological richness can contribute to the discovery of novel drug candidates. Our studies showed that this compound exhibits significant activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells, one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes and one for which therapeutic options remain limited. In addition to inducing tumor cell death through multiple mechanisms, cephalochromin reduced the expression of survivin, a protein directly associated with treatment resistance and poor patient prognosis. Another particularly relevant finding was the compound’s ability to enhance the effects of chemotherapy agents widely used in clinical practice, such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel, opening new prospects for more effective and potentially less toxic combination therapies. Although these findings are still preclinical, this study underscores the importance of investing in basic research and preserving Brazilian biodiversity, which represents an invaluable scientific asset and a strategic source of pharmaceutical innovation for addressing major public health challenges.” – Prof. Leticia Veras Costa Lotufo and Prof. João Agostinho Machado Neto
Finally, Dr. Rossana Verónica Mendoza Lopez (Icesp) participated in the study Randomized Trial of Autologous Ovarian Graft to Preserve Ovarian Function in Young Women Undergoing Pelvic Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer, published in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology.
The study presents an approach to preserving ovarian hormonal function in young women undergoing radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Before treatment, one ovary is removed and small tissue grafts are implanted beneath the skin of the thigh, allowing the tissue to avoid radiation exposure and remain functional. Patients who received the intervention maintained estrogen production and experienced fewer side effects associated with ovarian failure, particularly early menopause.
“Radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) causes premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in young women, leading to all the consequences of menopause at a very early age. This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the endocrine function of fresh autologous ovarian tissue implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of women younger than 35 years with LACC. Nineteen participants were enrolled: ten in the control group and nine in the intervention group. All patients in the control group developed premature ovarian insufficiency, whereas 85% of those in the intervention group maintained hormone levels compatible with normal ovarian function six months after treatment. Our analysis also showed encouraging quality-of-life outcomes, with improvements in physical functioning, pain, and women’s ability to work.” – Dr. Rossana Verónica Mendoza Lopez
