Project description
Modular radiolabelled molecular cages as next-generation theranostic agents
Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men, with high mortality. Current treatments often lack specificity and are highly toxic. Theranostic agents – systems that enable diagnostic imaging and targeted therapeutic functions in a single platform – are a promising alternative. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TRACE project aims to pioneer a new generation of theranostic agents based on modular molecular cages, engineered to simultaneously carry targeting units, therapeutic and imaging radionuclides, and fluorescent probes. These innovative architectures will enable precise, multimodal imaging alongside targeted radiotherapy of prostate cancer cells, with superior stability and binding affinity, providing versatile platforms potentially adaptable to other cancer types.
Objective
Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and a leading cause of mortality. Current systemic therapies, particularly chemotherapy, often suffer from high toxicity and limited specificity. Theranostic agents, which combine diagnostic and therapeutic functions in a single platform, enable targeted imaging and treatment when equipped with units that recognize specific biomarkers, offering a promising alternative to conventional approaches. In PC, the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a validated target, with PSMA-617 already in clinical use. However, its rigid molecular design hinders multimodal integration, requiring separate administration of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. TRACE proposes an ambitious and ground-breaking strategy to overcome these limitations through the design of multifunctional molecular cages (MCs) as next-generation theranostic agents. This project will pioneer a modular post-functionalization strategy to introduce multiple units of PSMA target ligands, DOTA macrocycle chelators, therapeutic radionuclides (^177Lu), imaging radionuclides (^64Cu), and fluorescent probes within a single and robust MC architecture. This innovative MC design will allow precise control over multifunctionality, enhanced binding affinity, synergistic therapy, multimodal imaging, and superior biological stability. Importantly, the intrinsic coordination properties of the MCs will allow confinement and stabilization of imaging radionuclides in biological media, improving diagnostic accuracy. TRACE will deliver the first family of covalent MC-based theranostic agents for PC, providing superior selectivity, stability, and therapeutic efficacy. Beyond prostate cancer, this versatile supramolecular platform will pave the way for personalized cancer treatment.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine radiology nuclear medicine
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences physical sciences molecular and chemical physics
- engineering and technology medical engineering diagnostic imaging
- natural sciences chemical sciences nuclear chemistry radiation chemistry
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-2025-PF
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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.
8006 Zurich
Switzerland
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.