Molecular Similarities Between Tumors

Development of magnetic nanocarriers for targeted delivery of innovative chemotherapeutic agents

Our group obtained exciting results when we tested the antitumoral activity of new drugs on glioma cell lines and cells derived from human pancreatic tumor, one of which showed resistance against the common chemotherapic agents. Even if these drugs showed to kill selectively tumor cells at low concentration, they exhibited significant side effects on the healthy cells at high doses. The toxicity and associated side effects showed by the current chemotherapy regimens remain one of the major problems in clinical oncology. As a possible solution to this problem, we want to investigate the binding of this drug to magnetic nanoparticles, as this would enable the administration of low doses of the drug to patients by driving the drug towards the tumours mass with the use of a magnetic field. For this purpose, we are going to functionalize magnetic nanoparticles currently utilized as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging with our new drug. Firstly we will characterize the nanoparticles-drug complex; Secondly we will test the ability of this complex (IC50) to inhibit proliferation of human breast cancer cell and to be guided towards the tumor mass by using a magnetic field; Finally we will test the antitumor activity of the magnetic conjugate in an animal model. Furthermore, we will design and produce magnetic applicators to locally concentrate the drug on the tumor mass. The final aim of the project is to find a safe protocol for injecting intravenously the magnetic drug complex and drive its localization in tumor mass by using a magnetic field. For example, in the breast cancer we could design magnetic cups applicators to have maximum magnetic field on the tumor mass. This technology can be applied for the treatment of many different types of cancer.

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Orazio Vittorio