Descrizione del progetto
Ottimizzare l’ipertermia in qualità di trattamento contro il cancro
L’aumento della temperatura nei tumori fino a 40-44 °C, un processo conosciuto come ipertermia, si sta affermando come un trattamento appetibile contro il cancro utilizzabile per potenziare l’efficacia della radioterapia o della chemioterapia. L’obiettivo principale del progetto HYPERBOOST, finanziato dall’UE, consiste nel migliorare ulteriormente l’efficacia e la sinergia dell’ipertermia selezionando e attuando livelli di temperatura e tempistiche ottimali con altre modalità in diversi tipi di tumore. Alcuni ricercatori approfondiranno i meccanismi responsabili dell’effetto terapeutico legato all’ipertermia tramite un approccio interdisciplinare che unisce le discipline di biologia, fisica e oncologia. Le conoscenze e gli strumenti pratici generati apriranno la strada al trattamento personalizzato basato sull’ipertermia con risultati clinici migliori.
Obiettivo
Hyperthermia (HT), heating tumors to temperatures of 40-44°C, is an oncological treatment used in combination with
radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy to enhance their efficacy. Clinical effectiveness of HT has been demonstrated in
randomised studies and HT is currently applied for many clinical indications, like cervical cancer and recurrent breast cancer.
Clinical results can be further improved as application of HT with well-controlled tumor temperatures and optimal timing and
sequence realising full synergy of RT+HT is challenging. Optimal HT delivery requires accurate planning, moreover
preclinical research has shown that many mechanisms are responsible for the therapeutic effect of HT, all presumably with a
different temperature-effect relationship and with different optimal timing between RT and HT. Optimisation of clinical RT+HT
treatments therefore requires a quantum leap in understanding and in clinical application.
Scientific objective of this multidisciplinary project with contributions from all sectors and disciplines (biology, physics and
oncology) is to combine training and research into the synergistic molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic
effect of HT on RT with the development of a versatile and innovative planning platform which utilises biological knowledge
to achieve optimal patient-specific treatment delivery and ultimately application in a clinical registration study in a network of
European centres implementing this treatment planning software to ensure optimal treatment delivery.
This ground-breaking and multidisciplinary project with contributions from biology, physics and oncology will create a
versatile and innovative planning platform, enhance fundamental knowledge and create practical tools to achieve
personalised treatment, thereby augmenting treatment delivery and clinical results. The projects will also educate 15 highly
skilled professionals capable of addressing and solving complex oncological issues.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinatore
1081 HV Amsterdam
Paesi Bassi