Objective
The objective of the programme has been to develop drug carriers that can be used for the treatment of the sequelae of colon carcinoma.
Candidate drug carrier systems containing the chemotherapeutic agent Mitomycin C have been prepared for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. The research has encompassed tumour targeting using synthetic polymers, microspheres, emulsions and liposomes.
Sufficient supplies of Mitomycin C were obtained. The various animal models and cell models that are required for the in vivo and in vitro assessment of the novel delivery systems were established and were available to the participants of the concerted action.
Microspheres using different encapsulating agents (ethycellulose, polylactide coglycolide) and loaded with Mitomycin C have been prepared. Experiments have been conducted in patients where drug loaded microspheres have been injected intraarterial for the treatment of metastic disease in the liver. The microspheres gave a greatly reduced drug concentration in the systemic circulation.
A carbamate pro drug of Mitomycin C, for incorporation into lipid carriers (liposomes and emulsion) has been prepared. This is now being evaluated in cell culture systems and metastases' models. A liposomal delivery system has been formulated and was tested in animal models. Polymeric conjugates of Mitomycin C were also being prepared.
Colon carcinoma represents a very important problem in oncology and where the overall survival of patients has not improved significantly in recent years. The primary tumour can normally be removed successfully by surgery. However, in many cases, metastatic spread to other tissues has occurred, especially involving the liver. The objective of the Concerted Action has been to develop drug delivery systems for the treatment of metastatic disease in the liver, peritoneal cavity and lymphatic system. The Concerted Action is part of the Europe Against Cancer Programme; strategy for research on cancer therapy, namely to provide more effective systemic treatments in order to achieve rapid improvement and overall survival treatments. The drug is not morally the one of choice for treating the metastases associated with colorectal carcinoma since it can have a profound effect on the functioning of the bone marrow, in particular stem cell function. By targeting the drug to its required sites of action it should be possible to reduce greatly adverse response. The selected carrier systems are polymer conjugates, micro spheres, liposomes and emulsions.
A second aim of the programme is the development of delivery systems for the parenteral administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor G-CSF. The drug has been shown clinically to protect or rescue bone-marrow function that has been compromised by chemotherapy. A bone marrow targeting system has been developed.
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 clinical medicine surgery
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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.
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.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
NG7 2RD Nottingham
United Kingdom
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.