Objective
Despite intense research efforts in almost every branch of the natural sciences, cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is thus remarkable that little or no therapeutic use has been made of a whole discipline, heterogeneous catalysis, which is noted for its specificity and for enabling chemical reactions in otherwise passive environments. At least in part, this could be attributed to practical difficulties: the selective delivery of a catalyst to a tumour and the remote activation of its catalytic function only after it has reached its target are highly challenging objectives. Only recently, the necessary tools to overcome these problems seem within reach.
CADENCE aims for a breakthrough in cancer therapy by developing a new therapeutic concept. The central hypothesis is that a growing tumour can be treated as a special type of reactor in which reaction conditions can be tailored to achieve two objectives: i) molecules essential to tumour growth are locally depleted and ii) toxic, short-lived products are generated in situ.
To implement this novel approach we will make use of core concepts of reactor engineering (kinetics, heat and mass transfer, catalyst design), as well as of ideas borrowed from other areas, mainly those of bio-orthogonal chemistry and controlled drug delivery. We will explore two different strategies (classical EPR effect and stem cells as Trojan Horses) to deliver optimized catalysts to the tumour. Once the catalysts have reached the tumour they will be remotely activated using near-infrared (NIR) light, that affords the highest penetration into body tissues.
This is an ambitious project, addressing all the key steps from catalyst design to in vivo studies. Given the novel perspective provided by CADENCE, even partial success in any of the approaches to be tested would have a significant impact on the therapeutic toolbox available to treat cancer.
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 medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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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-2016-ADG
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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.
50009 ZARAGOZA
Spain
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.