The SaveMe project introduced in March will develop nanotechnology-based solutions to diagnose and treat cancer of the pancreas. The platform could also serve as ‘trampolines’ to identify other forms of solid tumours.
SaveMe has received funding from the EU and will last across four years. The University of Tel Aviv will lead 20 technological-scientific teams from nine European countries. The CIDETEC-IK4 technological centre and CIC biomaGUNE are located in the Basque city of Donostia-San Sebastián.
The strategic goal of the project is to find effective targets that can identify a disease and treat it. Most cancer patients cannot withstand the pathology. Cancer of the liver, intestine and the bile duct are most often diagnosed too late.
CIDETEC-IK4 will develop polymeric nanoparticles from a polymer chain. The company will also monitor the functioning of the particles with contrast solutions, and on biomolecules that guide live nanoparticles to be used as therapeutic agents.
The Molecular Imaging Unit from CIC biomaGUNE will offer expertise to produce nanosystems charged with radioisotopes (PET and SPECT) or contrast agents that help carry out MRI studies and analyse the in vivo behaviour of the platforms.
The project will offer improved ways to detect cancer and endeavor to understand the disease better. This will help reduce impacts of chemotherapy, according to Dr. Llop, head of Radiochemistry and researcher at the Molecular Imaging Unit of CIC biomaGUNE.
Source: http://www.cidetec.es/