Announcements

We congratulate Dr. Filipa Martins for winning the Cancers 2025 Best PhD Thesis Award with her publication, “Targeting Glutamine Availability – A New Strategy To Treat Malignant Gliomas”.

Name: Dr. Filipa Martins
Affiliation: iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
Research interests: malignant gliomas; glutamine-glutamate cycle; CNS; cancer metabolism; metabolic adaptation; new metabolic-driven targets; neo-angiogenesis; anti-angiogenic therapy; Cancer Therapy; VEGF; new targets; drug resistance

The following is an interview with Dr. Filipa Martins:

1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and the scientific research you conducted during your doctoral studies?

I have always been fascinated by the biology of cancer, and my academic background in biochemistry and molecular biology naturally led me to pursue a PhD in health sciences. Previously, I investigated cancer-associated angiogenesis and oxidative stress, but during my doctoral studies, my focus shifted towards cancer metabolism.

My PhD research centered on understanding how glioblastoma (GBM) cells reprogram their metabolic pathways to sustain growth. In particular, we explored the glutamine dependency of GBM, given the altered metabolic networks and preferential carbon source utilization observed in these cells. Based on these insights, we developed two glutamine metabolism-targeted therapies for GBM: a systemic glutaminase (GLS1) treatment that offers a non-invasive approach and avoids the complexities of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration, validated both in vitro and in vivo; and a nanoparticle-based approach with GLS1-targeting dendriplexes (polyurea dendrimers) that cross the BBB and provide a targeted strategy to directly impair metabolic pathways within GBM cells.

These approaches offer a novel and promising direction for GBM therapy, proving that taking advantage of metabolic vulnerabilities favors the development of new therapeutic strategies for GBM. This thesis also emphasizes the importance of personalized metabolic profiling and metabolism-targeted interventions to enhance clinical outcomes.

2. Did you encounter any difficulties in carrying out this research? If yes, how did you overcome them, and what strategies did you use to stay focused and motivated?

Yes, I encountered several challenges during my PhD, as is natural in a multidisciplinary project like this. Right in the beginning, there were a lot of restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the hours in the lab.

One of the most significant was the development of in vivo models, which was only possible thanks to an excellent collaboration with a research group from ICVS-University of Minho. Moreover, the Pathological Anatomy unit at IPOLisboa was pivotal for histological processing.

Another challenge was handling the vast amount of metabolomics data, which required extensive time and effort to analyze and interpret, done in the CERMAX facilities at ITQB-NOVA. In addition, optimizing the nanoparticles and establishing our in vitro BBB model were technically demanding tasks, but they became feasible through close collaboration with experts from Instituto Superior Técnico and Instituto Ricardo Jorge (INSA).

To overcome these obstacles, we relied on teamwork and adaptability. Collaborating with specialists allowed me to access expertise beyond my own and to learn more in different areas.

The biggest motivator was to contribute to this field and ultimately improve the prognosis and quality of life for patients with this aggressive brain tumor.

3. As an author, what aspects of a journal do you value the most when choosing a journal in which to publish your academic work?

As an author, I value journals that ensure a rigorous yet constructive peer-review process, providing clear and helpful feedback that strengthens the quality of the work. I also appreciate timely responses from the editorial board, as this helps maintain the momentum of the research. Of course, the reputation and integrity of the journal are equally important, as they reflect the credibility of the published work. Visibility within the target research community is another key factor, since dissemination to the right audience maximizes scientific impact. Finally, I take note if the journal is open access, as it promotes accessibility, collaboration, and broader engagement with research findings.

4. What is your current research interest and how do you plan to continue building on your research in the future? What are your long-term career aspirations?

Brain tumors remain one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and I am motivated to contribute to uncovering new biological insights that can be translated into more effective therapies.

In the coming years, I plan to continue brain tumor research through a postdoctoral position. Connecting metabolism, microenvironment and even cancer neuroscience will give us a lot of clues in the following years for more therapeutic vulnerabilities.

5. How does it feel to receive this recognition for your work? Is there something you would like to express or someone you would like to thank the most?

It is with great honor that I receive this award! This recognition holds a very special meaning, especially at such an early stage of my scientific career. It represents not only the acknowledgment of four years of intense work and dedication, but also the validation of the impact and excellence of the research carried out at IPO Lisboa and NOVA Medical School – Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Above all, this award is a reflection of the collective effort of everyone who was part of this project. A very special thank you to my PhD supervisors, Jacinta Serpa, Luís Gonçalves, and Marta Pojo, who guided me through the years. Thank you to the Cancer, Metabolism, and Microenvironment team at IPO Lisboa and NOVA Medical School – Faculty of Medical Sciences, to all my colleagues at UIPM, and to all collaborators who contributed to this work. Many thanks to all of you for being part of this achievement!