Project description
Big advances in cancer therapy with light-activated microneedle technology
Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with cancer, with traditional treatments often falling short in effectiveness and causing debilitating side effects. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MIRACLE project is tackling this issue by developing a microneedle patch (MNP) technology that delivers localised, multimodal cancer therapy in a painless manner. Applied to the tumour, the MNP delivers plasmonic photothermal and photodynamic therapies and chemotherapy, activated by near-infrared radiation, to precisely treat superficial cancers like melanoma. This approach reduces systemic toxicity and minimises side effects. Designed for minimal invasiveness, the MNP provides a new way of treating superficial cancers, promising a future where treatment is more efficient and patients experience a better quality of life.
Objective
Cancer remains a critical global health challenge, with millions of new cases and deaths reported annually. Traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often fall short, causing systemic toxicity, severe side effects, and cancer recurrence, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The MIRACLE project aims to revolutionize cancer treatment by developing an innovative microneedle (MN) patch for localized, multimodal cancer therapy. Herein, the multimodal therapy integrates plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT), where nanoparticles (NPs) are selectively heated by near-infrared (NIR) radiation to destroy cancer cells, with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which generates reactive oxygen species and chemotherapy involving NIR radiation-triggered drug release to enhance treatment efficacy. However, challenges like limited accumulation of agents at tumor sites, unwanted distribution in healthy organs, and leakage during delivery limit clinical translation. The MIRACLE project will address these challenges by developing a NIR-responsive MN patch integrated with PPTT-assisted multimodal cancer therapy specifically designed for treating superficial cancers like melanoma. These MN patches, with micron-sized needles, painlessly penetrate the skins outer layer to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the tumor, ensuring localized delivery and release. Upon skin insertion and NIR irradiation, the MN patch will deliver NPs (for PPTT), a photosensitizer (for PDT), and a chemotherapeutic drug, concentrating treatment at the tumor, reducing systemic exposure and minimizing side effects. The project will validate the MN patch through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies. MIRACLE project aligns with the EU Mission: Cancers goals of advancing cancer treatment by developing innovative MN patch for localized multimodal cancer therapy and improving patients quality of life via a minimally invasive, patient-compliant approach with fewer side effects.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology skin cancer melanoma
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
9713 GZ Groningen
Netherlands
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.