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Synthetic Peptidic Nanovesicles for Targeting Paediatric Brain tumours

Objective

Brain tumours are the most common solid tumours in children, accounting for about 25% of all primary paediatric tumours. The situation is particularly critical for the deadliest brain tumour: glioma, being the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. The main bottleneck for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, including brain tumours (at early stages), as well as brain metastases, lies in the difficulty to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). In this proposal, I aim to overcome such limitation with the use of super-selective targeted and fully biodegradable polypeptide-based polymersomes, carrying relevant drug combinations for the treatment of paediatric glioma. I propose a step-wise and bottom-up approach to synthesise biodegradable polymersomes from amphiphilic block-polypeptides obtained via the scalable and reproducible methodology of Ring Opening Polymerisation (ROP) of N-Carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). The polypeptide amphiphiles are expected to self-assemble in aqueous solutions yielding nanometric vesicles. These synthetic vesicles will be functionalised with selected BBB receptor ligands in order to approach the super-selectivity concept aiming for active targeting and transcytosis to the brain acting as the so-called “Trojan Horses”. Finally, the super-selective nanovesicles will be loaded with synergistic and clinically relevant combination therapy using anticancer agents and immuno-modulators in order to approach paediatric glioma treatment. I will join for the first time, the use of fully biodegradable polymersomes based on polypeptides, super-selective binding strategies for BBB crossing and the use of chemotherapy+ immunotherapy. Overall, I will develop an innovative therapy, capable of reaching the brain in a non-invasive way, being able to diffuse and target the brain tumour, overcome chemo-resistance and activate the immune system to fight these tumours, being the future end-users, children with incurable cancers.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 183 454,80
Address
GOWER STREET
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 183 454,80
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