Project description
Fluorinated nanoparticles enhance delivery of cancer-fighting mRNA to solid tumours
Translating mRNA technology from effective vaccines to cancer therapy has been hampered by poor delivery to solid tumours and variable treatment response to immunotherapies. Triple negative breast cancer – an aggressive form with limited options – exemplifies this challenge. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FluorNano project aims to revolutionise mRNA cancer therapy with fluorinated polymeric nanoparticles. The nanoparticles will deliver mRNA encoding an engineered epithelial human growth factor 2 (HER2) receptor to cancer cells. When expressed by them, HER2 will sensitise the cancer cells to existing ‘anti-HER2’ therapies. Tested in tumour models and animal studies, this approach could unlock mRNA’s potential for treating aggressive cancers with poor prognosis.
Objective
Global success of COVID-19 vaccines showcased mRNA as safe and effective tool for transient protein expression and opened avenues
for innovative applications of mRNA in cancer therapy but efficient delivery to solid tumors and variable response rates to
immunotherapies remain the major obstacles to the development of mRNA-based cancer therapeutics. FluorNano aims to
revolutionize cancer treatment by leveraging fluorine properties to enhance messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery, stability, cellular
uptake, and therapy of aggressive cancers like Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) with poor survival rates. FluorNano proposes a
novel approach that involves developing fluorinated polymers for the delivery of mRNA to TNBC to express engineered Human
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) that can sensitize cancer cells to approved anti-HER2 therapies such as Trastuzumab and
Trastuzumab-Deruxtecan (T-DXd). FluorNano will last 2 years and will be conducted at University College of Cork, Ireland (24
months), and also involve a secondment at i3S Institute of University of Porto (4 months) to evaluate the efficacy of fluorinated NPs in
3D cancer models. The project’s main objectives are to develop a library of fluorinated polymeric mRNA NPs, assess HER2 mRNA
delivery in vitro TNBC models, and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of mRNA-based intervention in combination with anti-HER2
therapies in animal models. FluorNano is committed to advancing cancer therapies and aligning with European missions, aiming to
make a lasting impact on cancer treatment and drive sustainable improvements in patient care. The FluorNano project will advance
my career by offering advanced training, improving my research skills, and expanding my professional network, helping me become
an independent researcher. The public and scientific community will be informed about the project’s outcomes and the benefits of
RNA-based therapies through a targeted dissemination strategy.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry halogens
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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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-2025-PF
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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.
T12 YN60 Cork
Ireland
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.