(Closed) (NanoGlioTec) Treating Glioblastoma with Smart Nanoparticle-Embedded MiRNA and a Nanovaccine
At a glance
| Title | Treating Glioblastoma with Smart Nanoparticle-Embedded MiRNA and a Nanovaccine |
| Reference | 2022.15737.UTA |
| Scientific Area | Nano Materials for New Markets |
| Funding (US) | 100 000 USD |
| Leading Institutions |
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, PT University of Texas at Austin, USA |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Start date | September 15, 2024 |
| End date | December 31, 2025 |
| Keywords | Focused Ultrasound; Nanoparticles; Chemogenetics; Neuromodulation |
What is NanoGlioTec about?
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the highly aggressive stage IV astrocytoma affecting the central nervous system glial cells, is the most common brain and nervous system cancer among adults, affecting 3-5 out of every 100,000 individuals. The current standard of care involves surgical resection followed by concomitant administration of radiotherapy and temozolomide, and adjuvant temozolomide after completion of radiotherapy. Daily administration of a low dose of temozolomide over time is preferred to minimize toxicity. Additionally, concomitant administration of temozolomide and radiotherapy allows for spontaneous conversion of temozolomide into its active metabolite capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, in spite of a strong rationale for its development, the current standard of care still results in bleak patient outcomes, with a median survival rate of less than 20 months after diagnosis. These outcomes demand the development of novel treatment strategies.
NanoGlioTec is an exploratory proposal build up on a long-lasting active collaboration between a multi-disciplinary team of well–established researchers from Portuguese and UT Austin to develop a novel combinational multifunctional nanotechnology-
based chemo-immunotherapy against GBM.
What critical challenges is NanoGlioTec addressing?
The main goal of this exploratory project is to design a new off-the-shelf multifunctional chemo-immunotherapy based on nanomaterials to re-educate host immune response against glioblastoma (GBM). We address the hypothesis that the combination
of two nanoparticulate systems targeting (NP2) dendritic cell (DC) function and thereby increasing the recruitment of effector immune cells, while (NP1) modulating the differentiation and proliferation of GBM cells by co-deliverying miRNA mimics and the
chemotherapeutic, doxorubicin, can be an effective dual immunotherapy against GBM.
How will NanoChemogen explore new nanotechnological approaches?
Dr. Nicholas Peppas (Austin PI) expertise in engineering, nanotechnology and mathematical modeling will be exploited to advance the properties of novel bio-responsive materials for miRNA and drug delivery, while Dr. Florindo (PI) at the University of Lisbon produced mannosylated nanoparticles (man-NP) suitable for the delivery of combinations of antigens and adjuvants. Preliminary data show the potential use of man-NP to control GBM growth and will be the starting point for DC-targeted NP in NanoGlioTNanoGlioTec is supported by nanomaterial synthetic methodologies, as well as clinically relevant GBM preclinical
models, already established at partner’s lab following ongoing collaborations. We have different sources of patient GBM, following established collaborations and ethics approvals.
How is NanoGlioTec expected to impact cancer vaccination?
Project Team
Helena Florindo
Full Professor at Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon
Helena Florindo
Full Professor at Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon
Nicholas Peppas
Professor at University of Texas at Austin
Nicholas Peppas
Professor at University of Texas at Austin
Other team members in Portugal: Luís Graça (Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine);