Development of a chemotherapeutic gel for glioblastoma multiforme treatment: THERAGEL

Programme(s): H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
Topic(s): MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
Call for proposal: H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
Funding Scheme: MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Grant agreement ID: 708036

Objective
Advanced nanotechnology-based materials offer new solutions to the challenges associated with the non-specific delivery of therapeutics that leads to ineffective treatments, especially in oncology. Currently, both therapeutic and diagnostic molecules are administered systemically, increasing the likelihood of unwanted side effects. THERAGEL will develop a novel delivery system that enables selective, targeted local delivery of therapeutics and imaging agents. Specifically, he will use this delivery system to design a therapy for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. THERAGEL will comprise a unique combination of advanced injectable polymeric depots and targeted nanoparticles with both chemotherapeutic and imaging agent payloads (‘theranostic’ nanoparticle). The polymeric depots will provide a continuous release of free chemotherapeutic drug, with a tunable profile depending on the polymer composition, and cancer-targeted nanoparticles that will release the theranostic cargo only after selective uptake by cancer cells. THERAGEL will advance the state of the art in nanomedicines through advances to the individual components of the developed delivery system. This proposal represents a unique opportunity in the context of nanotheranostics for tailored chemotherapy, and means a significant step towards its clinical translation. The technologies developed will address three out of the six Horizon 2020 Key Enabling Technologies themes, which are a key part of the programme funding strategy: Nanotechnology, Advanced Biomaterials and Advanced Manufacturing technologies. This research constitutes a highly multidisciplinary approach with large impact in near future advanced therapies and with a great chance for collaboration and networking between European research groups and industrial partners. Combining expertise in gated-materials with the host PI’s delivery systems development experience will make this new direction possible.