Objective
Despite significant advances in chemotherapy, the effective treatment of malignant masses via systemically injectable agents are still limited by insufficient accumulation at the biological target (<< 10% injected dose per gram tumor) and non-specific sequestration by the reticulo-endothelial system (tumor/liver < 0.1).
The goal of this proposal is to engineer Discoidal Polymeric Nanoconstructs (DPNs) to preferentially target the malignant neovasculature for the delivery of imaging agents, controlled release of therapeutic molecules and thermal energy. The central hypothesis is that the size, shape, surface properties and stiffness (4S parameters) of the DPNs can be controlled during synthesis, and that therapeutic molecules (Temozolomide), Gd(DOTA) complexes and ultra-small Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide nanoparticles (USPIOs) can be efficiently incorporated within the DPN polymeric matrix.
This will be achieved by pursuing 3 specific aims: i) synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) DPNs with multiple 4S combinations; ii) in-silico and in vitro rational selection of DPN configurations with preferential tumor deposition, low macrophage uptake and high loading; and iii) in-vivo testing of the DPN imaging and therapeutic performance in mice bearing Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
The innovation stays in i) using synergistically three different targeting strategies (rational selection of the 4S parameters; magnetic guidance via external magnets acting on the USPIOs; specific ligand-receptor recognition of the tumor neovasculature); ii) combining therapeutic and imaging molecules within the same nanoconstruct; and iii) employing synergistically different therapeutic approaches (molecular and thermal ablation therapies). This would allow us to support minimally invasive screening via clinical imaging and enhance therapeutic efficacy in GBM patients.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science multiphysics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2013-CoG
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
16163 GENOVA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.