Trinity College Dublin’s School of Medicine is thrilled to highlight the groundbreaking research of PhD student Lorraine Smith. Her project focuses on investigating the effect of electroporation as a new treatment modality for Barrett’s Oesophagus. Barrett’s Oesophagus is a disease caused by chronic gastric acid reflux and is the primary risk factor for Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma (OAC), a cancer that has a five-year survival rate of less than 25%. Approximately 60% of OAC patients when diagnosed also have segments of Barrett’s Oesophagus, highlighting the need for better treatments and early intervention strategies.
Lorraine’s project, under the supervision of Professor Jacintha O’Sullivan, explores the use of electroporation, a technique that uses electrical pulses to create temporary pores in cell membranes, allowing for enhanced drug delivery. Electroporation as a therapy is being investigated in various malignancies with encouraging results and Lorraine is investigating its potential in the context of Barrett’s Oesophagus.
Working with Mirai Medical’s ePORE technology, Lorraine’s research examines how electroporation affects the inflammatory microenvironment in both non-dysplastic and dysplastic Barrett’s Oesophagus tissue. The project also investigates how electroporation influences immune cell activity, such as dendritic cells and T cells, which play critical roles in cancer development. Dr Sharon McKenna and Dr John Mackrill from UCC are also collaborators on the project and Lorraine will be seconded there to investigate mechanistic effects of electroporation.
This pre-clinical study could lead to new therapeutic approaches for OAC, significantly improving patient outcomes. Lorraine notes, “Working in a translational group has revealed to me how hugely beneficial it can be when scientists and doctors collaborate.”
With the potential to transform treatment for this aggressive cancer and shaping the future of healthcare, Lorraine’s work exemplifies the innovative research being undertaken at Trinity College Dublin. Readers are invited to view the newly published Annual Overview of Doctoral Health Research 2024 for more new research projects spanning from cancer, immunology, neuroscience to population health.