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The Tamvakopoulos lab focuses on all aspects of Pharmacology & Pharmacotechnology to explore innovative therapeutic approaches with a particular focus on cancer. As a lab, we are interested in investigating the pharmacological mechanism of action of novel -mainly anticancer- agents and examine the effects and interactions of drugs on living organisms at the cellular, molecular, and biochemical level. Our research is directed towards the development and/or optimization of targeted therapies based on cytotoxic and/or antiangiogenic small molecules, peptides, or peptide conjugates or protein degraders for the treatment of solid tumors, that could become potentially promising commercial drug products in the future. In addition, the lab maintains a pertinent interest in the discovery of novel biomarkers for cancer aiming to monitor the efficacy of the therapy applied on in vivo models as well as to facilitate the design of novel targeted anticancer molecules.

Laboratory of Pharamacoloy; A driver for the discovery and development of novel therapeutics

Our approaches include evaluation of parameters like Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) for optimization of drug-carrier delivery systems, dosing, scheduling, and route of administration patterns. The technology we use to effectively determine such variables rely on the development and application of novel bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry-based approaches that allow us to accurately determine targeted drug delivery. In this context, the Tamvakopoulos lab exploits advanced mass spectrometry methodologies to study the pharmacokinetic profile of bioactive leads in animal models, quantify tumor and tissue distribution of drugs post-dosing, and determine their in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties (stability, uptake, cytotoxicity, ADME etc). Modern analytical instrumentation such as liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with hybrid triple quadruple and linear ion trap systems are available in the lab, to facilitate this type of studies. Through collaborations within BRFAA we have access to other facilities with distinct niches and capabilities (e.g. Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap Elite™ Hybrid Ion Trap-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer system, mass cytometry combined with high sensitivity ICP-TOF technology etc) for more in-depth characterization of metabolites and performance of other -omics studies.

The Tamvakopoulos lab holds significant expertise in quality system management as well. For more than ten years, the lab was ISO-accredited and operated according to the ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard. As of May 2023, the Laboratory of Pharmacology has been organized and operates as a Test Facility in compliance with the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Principles for performing analytical and clinical chemistry testing on human biological fluids, by the General Chemical State Laboratory.
    
 

The Laboratory of Pharmacology is proactively involved in the clinical development of novel therapeutic agents through a collaboration between BRFAA with the SOTIRIA hospital in a well organized 24 bed clinical unit.  The Division of Pharmacology & Pharmacotechnology plays a key role in this effort by enabling the analysis (drug and metabolite quantification) of clinical samples under the GLP guidelines. The collaborating scheme involves volunteer recruitment, drug administration, sample collection, storage, and bioanalysis. This initiative represents a unique opportunity in Greece that will allow BRFAA to actively participate in the process of developing generic drugs and novel therapeutics.