Targeted Nano-Photomedicines for Multi-spectral Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer

Objective

We propose to develop multifunctional, targeted nano-photomedicines that are capable of bypassing biological barriers to deliver nano-engineered photosensitizer drugs and molecular-imaging agents to tumor tissues and angiogenetic micro-vasculature. Specifically, a unique nanomedicine system for targeted multi-spectral photodynamic therapy is proposed. The system consists of (i) luminescent quantumdot (QD) conjugated with photosensitizer (PS) drugs, which can be sensitized at its maximum efficiency using radiations of deep-tissue penetration (ii) molecular-imaging agents for the early stage detection and in situ treatment-effect analysis (iii) active targeting ligands to specifically target tumor and micro-vasculature. During the incoming phase, QDs of ZnS, Y2O3 and Gd2O3 emitting multi-spectral light under excitation with deep high-tissue penetrating radiations will be conjugated with PS so as to sensitize them at their characteristic absorption using Fluorescent Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET). The QD-PS will be combined with MRI contrast agents using `core/shell’ nanotechnology and made water soluble by capping with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Finally, the nanomedicine will be connected with tumor specific ligands such as folic acid, MAbs and peptides. Optimization of nanomedicine will be carried out by studying dark and photo-toxicity in normal and cancer cell-lines in vitro. Photodynamic treatment will be carried out in pre-clinical animal models using multispectral radiations under different photo- and drug-dose conditions, followed by molecular imaging (MRI) based estimation of PDT response-dose inter-relationships. During the return phase, scanning probe imaging based investigations on the mechanism-of-activity of nano-photomedicines at intra-cellular regions leading to cell-death (apoptosis) will be investigated.

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.

• natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
• engineering and technology nanotechnology
• medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
• medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

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.

• PEOPLE-2007-4-2.IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships"

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF
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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.

MC-IIFR - International incoming fellowships (Return phase)

Coordinator