Development of CXCR4 targeting -nanosystem-imaging probes for molecular imaging of cancer cells and tumor microenvironment

Project acronym: TH70020002
Project title: Development of CXCR4 targeting -nanosystem-imaging probes for molecular imaging of cancer cells and tumor microenvironment
Project registration number: TH70020002
State funding provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
Programme: TH - Programme for the Support of Applied Research and Experimental Development EPSILON (2015 - 2026)
Start date: 2020-01-01
End date: 2022-12-31
Principal investigator: Hajdúch Marián M.D., Ph.D.

Project aims to develop a CXCR4 targeting- PET tracer/ Nanosystem (CXCR4-PET-NAN) to detect neoplastic and Tumor microenvironment (TME) cells in solid tumors. The added value of nanotechnology plus innovative the biological features of new developed CXCR4 antagonist peptides should overcome the limits of available CXCR4 targeting PET probe. Nanoparticles with optimized size and surface properties can preferably accumulate in tumors through leaky vasculature and custom-designed nanoprobes permit a wide range of detection scales, from whole body diagnostic scanning to subcellular microscopic imaging. A CXCR4-PET-NAN would benefit of several advantages offered by Nanotecnology: 1) combination of Enhanced Permeability and Retention based passive targeting and active CXCR4-specific targeting; 2) Multivalency for the target receptor; 3) amplification of contrast signal due to the incorporation of thousands of reporting elements; 4) theranostic capability to combine therapy and diagnosis