Project description
Sustainable production of new chemotherapy drugs with improved effectiveness
The global cancer burden is growing. Chemotherapy remains an important tool in fighting cancer yet, despite significant advances, it still causes severe side effects and drug resistance can develop in many cases. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the DoNoHarm project aims to develop ‘green chemistry’ routes to produce its novel, improved chemotherapy candidates. The drugs leverage gold compounds that disrupt tumour growth and selenium to trigger cancer cell death. They showed superior selective anticancer activity compared to a common chemotherapy drug in in vitro cancer models. The proposed sustainable synthetic strategy will eliminate the use of toxic solvents and save energy.
Objective
"This project aims to design new anticancer drugs by using N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC), gold (Au), and selenium (Se), which have not been explored before.
NHCs are chosen as key ligands in homogeneous catalysis with transition metals. Gold compounds, like auranofin, disrupt tumor growth by inhibiting key enzymes. Se triggers cancer cell death by inducing oxidative stress and blocking sulfur-based cell components.
Cancer poses a global threat, causing millions of deaths and huge economic losses, while available chemotherapy often leads to severe side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, there is a need for more effective and less toxic drugs. I synthesized and tested several drug candidates in in vitro cancer models, showing selective anticancer activity superior to cisplatin.
The project uses a ""weak base route"" to synthesize these new compounds, following green chemistry principles to reduce the ecological impact of chemical synthesis. The proposed synthetic strategy uses non-toxic solvents and energy-saving protocols to promote sustainable drug development.
Cell-free and cell-based assays will assess cytotoxicity, efficacy, and selectivity towards the TrxR1 enzyme, which is critical to cancer growth. Molecular docking will confirm the inhibition of the biological target, allowing structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis to optimize drug structure. By refining the NHC ligand, Au-Se linker, and low core scaffold, the project aims to develop highly effective, targeted anticancer drugs.
This research seeks to advance cancer treatment by creating targeted drugs that reduce side effects and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, it aligns with the EU's sustainability goals, promoting environmentally responsible drug development. The project also strengthens European cooperation in cancer research, both in academia and industry, and will inspire future chemists, with broader economic benefits through innovation in healthcare."
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 oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
9000 Gent
Belgium
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.