Descrizione del progetto
Nuova tecnologia di precisione per la diagnosi precoce e l’eradicazione del carcinoma vescicale
Il progetto EDIT, finanziato dall’UE, propone una tecnologia trasformativa che combina l’elastografia a ultrasuoni ad alta risoluzione e l’imaging fotoacustico per la diagnosi precoce e la gestione del carcinoma della vescica. L’approccio utilizza nanobarre d’oro ingegnerizzate ala stregua di antenne fotoacustiche per colpire la matrice extracellulare (ECM) della vescica, le cui proprietà la rendono un biomarcatore unico del carcinoma. Oltre a creare una piattaforma di visualizzazione, le nanobarre d’oro possono essere ulteriormente sfruttate per una terapia oncologica fototermica mirata. La progettazione di EDIT consentirà di individuare le aree pre-neoplastiche e di eradicare le cellule in modo altamente selettivo. In definitiva, consentirà di convalidare in fase preclinica la diagnosi precoce del carcinoma della vescica e la nanomedicina terapeutica in situ contro il carcinoma della vescica.
Obiettivo
Unmet clinical needs in the management of bladder cancer (BCa) are the prevention of tumor onset, relapse and progression, and therapy of the aggressive carcinoma in situ (Cis), requiring weekly treatments and endless follow-up, with a consequent poor quality of life and the highest cost per patient among all cancers. Therefore, public health programs crave for early BCa detection protocols, to improve performance in the management of this devastating disease. Here we propose an advanced transformative technology termed EDIT combining a novel high-resolution ultrasound elastography and photoacoustic imaging on the bladder instilled with targeted plasmonic gold sensors.
EDIT approach exploits the structural and mechanical properties of the bladder extracellular matrix (ECM) as a unique biomarker of the early onset/progression/relapse of carcinoma, through engineered novel gold nanorods (GNRs) used as intravesical photoacoustic antennas targeted at the ECM, generating an ad hoc visualization platform. GNRs will be further utilized as heat-releasing effectors at nanoscale for targeted cancer photo-thermal therapy. EDIT is designed to detect pre-neoplastic area and eradication of local areas at few cells resolution with high sensitivity and specificity.
We bring together a multi and transdisciplinary consortium capable to develop non-invasive and non-ionizing novel technology and preclinical validation for early prognosis of BCa and therapeutic nanomedicine against bladder Cis. Outcomes of EDIT will revolutionize the management of BCa with the introduction of sensing and effector nanotechnologies combined with non-invasive organ imaging with high resolution/definition by 3D ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging.
Structural and mechanical modification of the ECM is a common denominator for invasive breast, colorectal, prostate and bladder cancers. EDIT platforms will also pave the ways for the earlier management of other bladder-related pathologies and solid tumors.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
20132 Milano
Italia