TEMPER · Thermal Evaluation of specific drug delivery with Molecularly imprinted nanoParticles developed against Estrogen Receptor
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-04-01 → 2023-04-22
- EU contribution
- €224,934
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Thermal Evaluation of specific drug delivery with Molecularly imprinted nanoParticles developed against Estrogen Receptor
The overall objective of the project is to improve drug delivery of anti-cancer agents for breast cancer. Current methods lead to drug resistance and debilitating side effects, including severe neurotoxicity, due to the drugs also affecting healthy cells and not just cancer cells. This limits both drug efficacy and has a severe impact on quality of life of patients. We will develop novel nano carriers (based on polymers) that can overcome these issues. In particular, we aim to improve breast cancer treatment in developing countries where mortality rates are still too high, by developing a low-cost system that can be manufactured at scale. Breast cancer is highly heterogeneous and therefore each patient requires a personalised approach. We have decided to focus on breast cancers that are positive for oestrogen receptor, which accounts for ~70% of breast cancer cases. To develop a system for selective drug delivery for breast cancer cells positive for oestrogen receptor, the following objectives had to be achieved: -Develop polymer carriers with a dual functionality: they can selective target oestrogen receptor on breast cancer cells and release the drug (doxorubicin) when binding to the cell occurs; -Characterise this system and compare it to the current state-of-the-art; -Determine drug efficacy and selectivity of drug delivery in 2D cell lines systems of the polymers loaded with doxorubicin compared to when doxorubicin is used without any carrier system; -Apply the materials to 3D cell line systems, which are more representative for breast cancer growth in human tissue.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women with over two million new cases reported in 2018. It is a genetically diverse disease with each type requiring different treatment. In developing countries, the highest amount of female cancer deaths are attributed to breast cancer with substantially lower survival rates compared to the western world. Therefore, the aim of this proposal is to develop polymeric drug nanocarriers that can improve drug efficacy, and thereby have potential to make cancer treatment available to all layers of the population including those living in deprived areas. We will develop high affinity nanoparticles that can selectively bind to certain receptors on the surface of cancer cells. When attached, the nanocarriers will release their cargo (drug compounds) specifically to the tumour and thereby improve drug efficacy and subsequently patient outcome. Furthermore, it will reduce adverse effects of common anti-cancer drugs including nausea, fatigue, hepatitis and high vulnerability to endometrial cancer. The drug delivery is usually monitored with optical techniques but the novelty of this project is to use thermal analysis, which is label-free and simple to use. The polymeric nanocarriers are highly versatile and by changing the composition, we can tailor this platform to other drug compounds or other cancer types. In addition, it has high potential as a diagnostic tool in high-throughput drug testing, customization of cellular therapy, and combating bacterial infections. This project could bring tremendous benefits in cancer treatment particularly in developing countries such as India due to its low-cost and simplicity.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE · Newcastle Upon TyneCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union