Project description
Non-invasive ablation therapy for cancer
Ablation therapy procedures apply heat or cold to target and destroy tumours. However, current methods utilise invasive probes, which restrict treatment to easily accessible tumours and pose a risk of harming surrounding healthy tissue. The ERC-funded MR-ACT project intends to address these limitations by leveraging MRI technology for precise targeting, real-time temperature monitoring and controlled therapy delivery. The MR-ACT approach aims to achieve ablative temperatures above 60 °C with millimetre-level accuracy, all without the need for surgical intervention. Such advancements have the potential to broaden the range of treatable tumour sites. Overall, this new method is expected to enhance oncological interventions and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
Objective
The MR-ACT project will develop Thermal Magnetic Resonance-based Ablation Cancer Therapy, a groundbreaking non-invasive approach that eliminates the need for invasive needle electrodes or fibre optic Laser probes in cancer ablation procedures. Building upon innovations from our ERC Advanced Grant ThermalMR, we will advance our proprietary high-density radiofrequency (RF) applicator technology to achieve ablative temperatures (>60°C) for tumour tissue destruction while maintaining millimetre-precision targeting and comprehensive MRI-based monitoring. Current radiofrequency or laser ablation approaches require invasive needle or fibre optic probe insertion, causing collateral damage, risking tumour seeding, limiting treatment to accessible anatomical locations, and increasing healthcare costs through hospitalization requirements. MR-ACT addresses these limitations by integrating diagnostic imaging, thermal treatment, temperature measurement and therapy monitoring in a single device without physical penetration of the body. This 18-month project will systematically refine the RF applicator technology for ablation temperatures, validate performance in anthropomorphic phantoms mimicking clinical scenarios, develop comprehensive IP protection and regulatory strategies, analyse market opportunities, and create a detailed commercialization roadmap. The technology enables treatment of previously inaccessible tumours, reduces procedural complexity, potentially enables outpatient treatment workflows, and improves patient experience while reducing healthcare costs. MR-ACT represents a high-risk, high-gain opportunity to fundamentally transform cancer treatment approaches. Our innovative non-invasive ablation technology could expand treatment options for patients with limited alternatives, establish a new paradigm in interventional oncology, and create significant commercial opportunities through technology licensing or spin-off company formation.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications radio technology radio frequency
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- engineering and technology medical engineering medical laboratory technology diagnostic technologies
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2025-POC
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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.
13125 Berlin
Germany
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