EMA-HYPERMAT

Enhanced Magnetic Hyperthermia for Malignant Melanoma Therapy

Nanoparticles are increasingly regarded as efficient cytostatic delivery systems, capable of tumor targeting. Therefore, the use of such nanosystems diminishes adverse effects while increasing therapy effectiveness and improving the survival rate of skin cancer patients. The combination between chemotherapeutics and hyperthermia is entirely adjustable, depending on the type and site of the tumor, by tuning the drug dosage and the temperature.
Our project envisages to leverage the intrinsic mechanisms of hyperthermia through the controlled delivery of antitumorals loaded into magnetic particle systems. The novelty of our proposal lies in the deployment of specific "hyperthermia enhancers" that will ultimately lead to an improved effectiveness of the magnetic hyperthermia-based therapy. Our innovative combination of iron oxide/silica core-shell particles and super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) embedded within thermoplastic polymeric nanospheres will bring unequivocal advantages. Featuring smaller concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles, our custom formulations will potentially result in lower toxicity, reduced immunogenicity as well as reduced side effects while still exhibiting similar performances to those obtained in preliminary hyperthermia tests. On the other hand, the magnetic polymeric nanospheres act dually, by providing both increased hyperthermia efficiency and improved drug release mechanisms due to the high loading capacity of the polymer matrix.

EMA-HYPERMAT

Project's Objective


Development of enhanced magnetic hyperthermia based technologies with a minimal TRL 3 level for malignant melanoma therapy.