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Project

FDA approved NP cellular hitchhiking system for targeted combination therapy and diagnosis in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor. It remains an incurable tumor with a median survival rate of only 15 to 17 months. The standard treatment of GBM is surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and concomitant adjuvant temozolomide. Despite maximal initial therapy, tumors invariably recur. Unfortunately, no significant changes have been accomplished in the treatment protocols of GBM in the last 15 years. Therefore, the development of novel, more targeted and effective therapeutic approaches is paramount. Here, we propose, a new theranostic approach based on a novel NP cellular hitchhiking system (NPCHS) and a new targeting approach in the field of GBM. The proposed NPCHS is able to: cross the BBB upon intravenous administration, be directed toward the GBM by natural chemotaxis (monocyte hitchhiking) and contain multiple therapeutic modalities for combined therapy and non-invasive monitoring. The SPIO embedded within the proposed NPCHS will bestow it with MRI contrast, magnetic guided targeting and hyperthermia. The SPIO will be encapsulated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA polymers loaded with Temozolide (TMZ). The PLGA-SPIO-drug backpack (BP) will be linked to monocytes via streptavidin-biotin conjugation.

Date:2 May 2019 →  2 May 2023
Keywords:Drug Delivery, Theranostics, Glioblastoma, Nanomedicine, Cellular hitchhiking
Disciplines:Biopharmaceuticals
Project type:PhD project