Pioneering Frontiers: The Intersection of Space-Based R&D and the Cancer Moonshot^SM Initiative

August 20, 2024 • By Davide Marotta

This piece is part of our Forging the Path series in which CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes). experts share knowledge and insight from their experience managing a national lab in space.

Davide Marotta, Ph.D., is Program Director for In-Space Biomanufacturing at the ISSInternational Space Station National Laboratory®, managed by CASIS™ in partnership with NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration. With more than a decade of experience in biomedical and stem cell research, he works with an exceptional team to advance R&D in LEO for the benefit of humanity.

In the vastness of space lies not just the promise of exploration but also an unexpected frontier in the fight against cancer. From the early stages of my scientific career, I recognized the urgent need for fast and effective therapeutic solutions for individuals living with cancer. This condition not only has a significant emotional and psychological impact on patients and their families but also imposes a substantial financial burden on society. MicrogravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. can play a crucial role in accelerating discoveries to improve the lives of those affected by cancer and the other major diseases of our time. Biomedical research in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles. (LEO) presents a new world of possibilities for transforming regenerative medicine, drug development, and bioengineering on Earth.

The sustained microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS) provides valuable opportunities for studying biological processes in ways that are unattainable on Earth. This distinctive LEO environment opens new horizons in our pursuit of innovative therapies and deepens our comprehension of human health. The ISS National Laboratory® is uniquely poised to harness this one-of-a-kind research platform to advance the President’s Cancer Moonshot^SM initiative, a bold call to action led by the National Cancer Institute to accelerate efforts to better prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. The Cancer Moonshot^SM initiative provides a framework and a sense of urgency to drive research forward and accelerate the pace of discovery.

The urgency of our mission cannot be overstated. We need to act now to leverage the ISS to revolutionize our approach to cancer research and bring potential breakthroughs to fruition to alleviate the suffering caused by this disease. By uniting the resources and expertise of the space and biomedical communities, we can amplify the impact of the Cancer Moonshot^SM initiative with new perspectives and innovations in the field. We must embrace a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to fully unlock the potential of space-based cancer research. This entails forging partnerships between space agencies, cancer research institutions, biotech companies, and other stakeholders to pool resources, expertise, and data. It also necessitates a commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that the benefits of space-based research are accessible to all, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status.

The Benefits of Doing Cancer Research in Space

Space-based cancer research presents a realm of possibilities that could significantly propel the goals of the Cancer Moonshot^SM initiative. The sustained microgravity environment, a unique advantage of space-based research, has demonstrated its potential to influence biological processes in unprecedented ways and could be a game-changer in the development of novel cancer therapies. The distinct conditions of microgravity have also shown promise in enhancing the efficacy of targeted therapies for cancer treatment. By leveraging space-based platforms to screen for innovative drug candidates, we have the potential to identify new therapies that are not only more effective but also less toxic than current treatments, thereby revolutionizing the field of cancer care. Moreover, space-based research can help address some of the challenges associated with drug resistance and metastasis. By studying how cancer cells behave in microgravity, researchers can gain insights into the mechanisms underlying these processes and develop new strategies to overcome them.

Research on the ISS has led to significant advancements in cancer treatment. MicroQuin’s study on 3D cell cultures in microgravity revealed fundamental intracellular changes in cancer progression, enhancing our understanding of cancer biology. Encapsulate LLC used microgravity to improve the accuracy of personalized cancer treatments and identify novel therapeutic targets. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic explored how microgravity impacts stem cell proliferation and differentiation, showing potential for revolutionary cancer therapies.

Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. utilized the ISS to investigate the crystallization of pembrolizumab, the active ingredient in the company’s Keytruda^® cancer therapeutic, in microgravity. Published in Nature Microgravity, Merck’s study produced uniform, stable crystalline suspensions, which could improve the drug’s manufacturing and storage and lead to an injectable formulation, reducing costs while enhancing patient quality of life. These spaceflight insights were successfully applied to ground-based drug manufacturing processes, showcasing the space station’s role in driving healthcare innovations.

Accelerating Cancer Advancements Through Igniting Innovation

In 2023, the ISS National Lab announced a new solicitation for multiphase research that leverages the ISS to address the Cancer Moonshot^SM initiative. Igniting Innovation: Science in Space to Cure Disease on Earth, issued in collaboration with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division, provided resource allocation and up to $5 million in total funding for multiflight projects utilizing the ISS for transformative disease research and technology development. The ISS National Lab selected five projects through the solicitation, paving the way for discovery and innovation in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The selected projects are not just highly innovative; they are a testament to the power of collaboration in cancer research.

Eascra Biotech is utilizing microgravity to enhance Janus nanoparticles for drug delivery. This could lead to more effective, less toxic treatments, improving survival rates and reducing side effects. Cedars-Sinai is focused on enhancing cardiac spheroid production for drug screening, tumor modeling, and personalized cancer treatments. The Sanford Stem Cell Institute at the University of California, San Diego, aims to bioengineer cancer stem cell (CSC) niche nanobioreactors in microgravity. The team will study cancer behavior and treatment responses in space by creating patient-derived tumor organoids and CSC models. Advanced sequencing and AI analyses could identify new therapeutic targets, leading to effective treatments, improved cancer detection, reduced mortality rates, and accelerated drug development through commercial partnerships.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center aims to use microgravity to develop new T cell-based strategies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. And Wake Forest University Health Sciences will study the effects of microgravity on chemotherapy response using patient-derived tumor organoids on the ISS. The results could lead to identifying novel targets to improve chemotherapy response in patients on Earth.

The 2024 Igniting Innovation ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRAThe abbreviation for an ISS National Lab Research Announcement. NLRAs are one of the ISS National Lab’s primary mechanisms to solicit proposals in specific research areas.), which is now accepting submissions, is focused on accelerating the translation of microgravity-enabled scientific discoveries into health solutions for Earth. By leveraging collaborations and targeted projects, the NLRA aims to develop new technologies that contribute to a sustainable LEO economy and significantly benefit society. The announcement seeks use-inspired research and development to advance treatments, especially in addressing significant diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular, immune, and neurodegenerative conditions. Igniting Innovation 2024 is all about bringing together the best minds from academia, industry, and government to create innovative, game-changing technologies that push the boundaries of science and make a real difference here on Earth.

ISS National Lab-sponsored research represents a trailblazing effort to leverage the unique environment onboard the ISS to tackle humanity’s most pressing health challenges. Together, we can pioneer a new frontier in the fight against cancer and other diseases, instilling hope in millions of patients and their families by harnessing the opportunities offered by space-based research and the Cancer Moonshot^SM initiative. The intersection of space technology and biomedical research holds immense promise, and continued support and investment in such interdisciplinary projects are crucial for realizing their full potential. The ISS National Lab aims to expedite progress toward a future where cancer and other major diseases are no longer deadly pathologies but manageable conditions.