Objective
This project is focused on the development of novel nanomedicines effective in targeting the immunosuppressive, pro-tumoural, Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAM) with the aim to manipulate the host’s immune system and improve anti-tumour responses. In most patients, chronic inflammation and immune suppression are the dominant effects in the tumour microenvironment. The infiltration of TAM in tumour tissues has been shown to support tumour growth, invasion and metastasis. Indeed, high density of TAM in tumours is correlated with resistance to therapies and poor prognosis. These findings establish TAM as promising targets of future anti-tumour therapies.
Here, we aim to design a series of Therapeutic Nanostructures (TNs), containing immunomodulatory or chemotherapeutic compounds, and conveniently functionalized, in order to target and re-educate or kill the TAM. These novel TNs will be composed of biodegradable polysaccharides, i.e. chitosan (CS) or hyaluronic acid (HA), and will be functionalized, with the aim to develop a series of “targeting” strategies to optimally reach TAM in vivo. These strategies involve the chemical linking of: (i) mannose residues expected to direct the TNs to the mannose receptors, highly expressed on the surface of TAM or (ii) the tumour lymphatic-specific peptide (LyP-1), known to have affinity towards NRP1 on TAM. The nanomedicines (TNs) will be loaded with pharmacological activators of TLR7 aimed to re-educate TAM into immunostimulatory anti-tumour macrophages. In the event that re-polarization of TAM is not satisfactory, or its effect is not long lasting in vivo, TNs will be loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs able to kill TAM. The TNs will be tested in vitro and in vivo to verify their effectiveness in switching back the pro-tumoural properties of TAM and their effect on tumour growth. We expect that this approach will enable greater progress in the treatment of tumours and ultimately lead to improved outcomes for cancer 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
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20100 Rozzano (Mi)
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.