Description du projet
Des nanoparticules théranostiques contre le cancer du cerveau en pédiatrie
La théranostique est un domaine émergent de la médecine qui permet de combiner le diagnostic, le traitement et le suivi thérapeutique. Une approche théranostique de la thérapie du cancer réduirait les retards dans le traitement et offrirait une stratégie plus ciblée et personnalisée. Fait important, elle pourrait être dirigée contre les tumeurs du système nerveux central qui sont par nature difficilement accessibles par les chimiothérapies standard. Le projet SUPERBRAIN, financé par l’UE, développe une nanocapsule qui combine une molécule ciblant la tumeur, un agent chimiothérapeutique et une thérapie photothermique. Les nanoparticules sont guidées magnétiquement in vivo et peuvent être suivies à l’aide de technologies d’imagerie. Elles permettent par ailleurs de caractériser la tumeur et de visualiser l’anatomie du cerveau.
Objectif
Advances in neurosurgery, radio-chemotherapy resulting in improved survival/cure rates for children with brain tumors. Nevertheless, after domestic accidents, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in children with the overall 5-year survival statistic of 15-35%. Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most diagnosed cancer in pediatric oncology. Radio-chemotherapy protocols for CNS cancers limiting therapeutic potential due to long-term concerns of radiation exposure and late adverse effects of chemotherapy in developing children. The battle against pediatric cancer is potentially much more effectively fought if the therapy is concurrent with diagnosis and monitoring modalities. SUPERBRAIN develops a multifunctional nanocomposite termed as nanocapsule that enables a simultaneous diagnosis, therapy and treatment monitoring (theranostics). It introduces a new paradigm of theranostics combines tumor targeting biomolecule (aptamer), chemotherapeutic cargo, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) coupled with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photothermal therapy to combat pediatric CNS cancer. We elaborate multimodality in one nanocapsule by decorating magnetic nanoparticles with plasmonic shell functionalized with chemotherapeutic drugs and CNS cancer cell targeting aptamer and magnetically guided nanocapsules in vivo delivery. Furthermore, non-destructive SERS together with Raman microscopic techniques is introduced here for rapid identification of a cancer cells ‘molecular fingerprint’ allowing visualization of brain tumor margins. Additionally, application of MRI for visualizing 3D brain anatomy is providing opportunity of therapy monitoring. These bioengineered nanocapsules can then be stimulated by near infrared (NIR) light for minimally invasive photonic excitation (photothermal therapy). Finally, we will demonstrate >99% killing of CNS brain tumor tissues (in vitro and in vivo) with this new paradigm as a gold standard theranostics.
Champ scientifique
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineanatomy and morphology
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingmagnetic resonance imaging
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinateur
OX1 2JD Oxford
Royaume-Uni