Dauwe Bulckaen

Patients with advanced cancers involving the peritoneal cavity face a high risk of developing peritoneal metastases (PM). PM arises when malignant cells detach from the primary tumor and implant on the peritoneal surfaces, where they proliferate and form secondary lesions. The management of PM remains a major therapeutic challenge and an unmet clinical need in modern oncology.

Intraperitoneal aerosolized drug delivery (IPADD) is an innovative therapeutic approach for PM that combines laparoscopy with the direct administration of aerosolized drugs into the peritoneal cavity. Early-phase clinical studies have shown promising results, demonstrating the potential of IPADD in patients with advanced PM. Key advantages of this aerosolized delivery method include improved spatial drug distribution within the peritoneum, greater penetration depth into tumor tissue, and reduced systemic exposure, thereby minimizing adverse effects and toxicity. However, the potential of IPADD as an innovative treatment for patients with PM is currently constrained by a limited understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying intraperitoneal aerosol delivery. Key aspects —such as aerosol droplet kinetics, droplet-tissue interactions, and tissue penetration—remain poorly understood.

During my PhD project, I will combine high-speed imaging methods with analytical techniques to study aerosol droplet kinetics and its interaction with tumor tissue. The overarching goal is to define the optimal physical conditions required to enhance the IPADD technique and ultimately improve the therapeutic efficacy of PM treatment.
 

• Msc in Physics and Astronomy
   

• Lab address: Experimental Surgery Lab, campus UZ Gent, C. Heymanslaan 10, building 'The Core', entrance 37, 3th floor
• LinkedIn
• SurgX website
• BioMMedA website
• PtYX website
• Dauwe Bulckaen is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks