When Dr. Mia Rodriguez first observed cancer cells behaving differently in simulated microgravity, she couldn’t have imagined her discovery might lead to revolutionary treatments. “In space, cells organize and interact in ways we never see on Earth,” explains Rodriguez, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering. “This opens entirely new pathways for drug development.”
This potential for breakthrough cancer therapies is precisely why three innovative startups—RevBio, Axonis Therapeutics, and Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute—were recently selected for the prestigious Technology in Space Prize. These companies will soon send their pioneering cancer research to the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory.
The unique microgravity environment aboard the ISS offers unprecedented opportunities for biomedical research. Cancer cells grown in space develop three-dimensional structures that more accurately mimic tumors in the human body than traditional lab cultures. This allows researchers to better understand cancer behavior and test potential treatments.
RevBio’s project focuses on their injectable bone adhesive technology, crucial for patients suffering from bone metastases—one of cancer’s most painful complications. “When cancer spreads to the bones, it causes excruciating pain and increases fracture risk,” says Dr. Brian Hess, RevBio’s founder. “Our bone adhesive could transform care for these patients, and space testing helps us optimize the formula.”
Meanwhile, Axonis Therapeutics is investigating how microgravity affects spinal cord regeneration, potentially benefiting patients with cancer-related nerve damage. Their proprietary compounds have shown promise in restoring nerve function in laboratory conditions.
The Cedars-Sinai team will explore how microgravity influences mesenchymal stem cells, which could lead to improved cell therapies for cancer patients experiencing treatment side effects. Their previous research demonstrated that space-cultured stem cells show enhanced therapeutic properties.
This opportunity comes through MassChallenge and the ISS National Lab’s collaborative program, which has supported numerous space-based innovations since 2018. The program specifically targets translational research with potential for real-world healthcare applications.
“Space provides a unique laboratory for discoveries impossible on Earth,” explains Dr. Ryan Lively of the ISS National Lab. “The absence of gravity reveals cellular behaviors and drug interactions that simply can’t be observed in traditional settings.”
For cancer patients like Emma Pearson, a 42-year-old breast cancer survivor, such research offers hope. “After my diagnosis, I learned how limited our treatment options still are,” Pearson shares. “Knowing scientists are literally leaving Earth to find new solutions gives me incredible hope for future patients.”
The selected companies will prepare their experiments for launch in 2025, following a rigorous training program with ISS National Lab experts. Their findings could reshape cancer therapy approaches for millions worldwide.
As we look toward the stars for answers to our most pressing medical challenges, these orbital experiments remind us how exploration beyond our world may ultimately save lives on Earth. What other medical mysteries might space help us solve in the coming decades?
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