Magnetic Biomaterials: Magnetically Loaded Stem Cells as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Vectors for Lung Cancer

Project Information

BIOMAG

Grant agreement ID: 237695

Project closed

Start date 1 May 2009

End date 30 April 2011

Funded under

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

Total cost € 0,00

EU contribution € 181 350,76

Coordinated by

The Royal Institution of Great Britain
United Kingdom

Objective

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the world today. There are limited options for clinicians when treating patients, with only 10-15% of lung cancer patients surviving their malignancy. Despite the introduction of new chemotherapies, lung cancer survival is unchanged from thirty years ago. New ways of treating this disease are needed. We hypothesise that modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be used to deliver magnetic nanoparticles through their engraftment, killing both tumour epithelium and tumour vasculature, while preserving normal tissue. We propose to introduce bio-compatible tailored magnetic nanoparticles into the MSCs to enable localised cellular-level sensing and heating while retaining the full viability and functionality of the MSCs. We will examine the kinetics of MSC engraftment and compare histological samples to in vivo quantification of engraftment using contrast-enhanced small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on sensing the MRI signal of the introduced nanoparticles. MSCs will subsequently be locally heated by applying a time-varying electromagnetic field to induce heating of the nanoparticles (a process similar in principle to that used in microwave ovens) and consequent tumour destruction. MSC delivered therapy is particularly attractive. MSCs are easy to culture, expand and genetically manipulate. They are immuno-privileged, and also home preferentially to tumour tissues allowing systemic delivery to widespread tumour and metastases. As such they offer a uniquely bio-compatible, patient-derived therapeutic solution to the life-threatening disease of lung cancer.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › physical sciences › electromagnetism and electronics › electromagnetism
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › oncology › lung cancer
• medical and health sciences › medical biotechnology › cells technologies › stem cells
• engineering and technology › medical engineering › diagnostic imaging › magnetic resonance imaging
• engineering and technology › nanotechnology › nano-materials

Programme(s)

• 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)

• FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

The Royal Institution of Great Britain

• EU contribution: € 181 350,76
• Address: Albemarle Street 21 ; W15 4BS London ; United Kingdom
• Activity type: Other
• Administrative Contact: Quentin Andrew Pankhurst (Prof.)
• Total cost: No data