EuroNanoMed SonoTherag: Sonoactivable Nanotheragnostics for Cancer Treatment
Project duration 2014-2018
Funding Agencies: ERA-NET EuroNanoMed II and the Research Council of Norway
Project number: 236189
Status: Ongoing
Partners:
Dr. Christiane Contino-Pepin, University of Avignon, France (coordinator)
Dr. Nicolas Taulier, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris, France
Dr. Rares Vincent Salomir, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Prof. Pierre-Jean Touboul, Intelligence in Medical Technologies, Paris, France
Prof. Qian Peng and Dr. Petras Juzenas, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
Funding Agencies: ERA-NET EuroNanoMed II and the Research Council of Norway
Project number: 236189
Status: Ongoing
Partners:
Dr. Christiane Contino-Pepin, University of Avignon, France (coordinator)
Dr. Nicolas Taulier, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris, France
Dr. Rares Vincent Salomir, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Prof. Pierre-Jean Touboul, Intelligence in Medical Technologies, Paris, France
Prof. Qian Peng and Dr. Petras Juzenas, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
The goal of the project is to develop a nanotechnology allowing ultrasound-mediated targeted delivery and controlled cytotoxicity of sonosensitising agents; while monitoring the process through 19F MRI and/or ultrasound imaging. This nanotechnology will e mploy new biocompatible nano-sized particles with a diameter <300 nm. The nanoparticles are made of a liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) core to allow the 19F MRI detection; while the ultrasound imaging may require the vaporization of such PFC core. The core, s tabilized by a shell made of modular biodegradable fluorinated surfactants, can encapsulate hydrophobic sonosensitisers. Due to their nano-size the particles will accumulate in tumor tissues thanks to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. An ult rasound focused beam is used to release the encapsulated sonosensitiser at the tumor site and further activate the sonosensitisers to generate free radicals that induce tumor destruction. The 19F MRI is used to monitor the nanoparticle location and to qua ntify the drug delivery process. It can also help to improve the interpretation of the ultrasound imaging. In a long run it is hoped to use only ultrasounds as they are cheaper and more widely used in clinics than 19F MRI.