Nanotheranostic tool for imaging and treatment of epithelial cancers
We are developing a nanocontainer protein as a vectorization system for the targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules and as a diagnostic imaging tool. The molecular marker specifically detected by this protein is characteristic of epithelial cancers. In collaboration with Toulouse Oncopole surgeons, we have chosen to provide proof of concept of this nano-tool efficacy on human ovarian adenocarcinoma. We validated the biochemical characterization of this nanocontainer and tested in silico by molecular dynamics the docking of 70 therapeutic molecules. Four of those were successfully confined within the protein cavity and delivered to adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. The use of this nanocontainer, as an imaging probe, after its labelling with a near infrared dye (Alexa 647), has been explored in vivo on a mouse model. We highlighted the possibility to detect submillimeter peritoneal xenografts of human tumor. The nanotheranostic approach is currently being implemented.
This work was initiated as a maturation project with the SATT-ToulouseTechTransfer (2013-2015) and patented. A PhD project (2017-2020) in collaboration with IUCT and the Urosphere company is in progress.
Specific detection of peritoneal xenograft in vivo (expressing GFP reporter gene) by the nanocontainer labelled in near infrared by Alexa 647 dye. -->
Investigators: Technician: C. Ladurantie / PhD student: M. Coustets / Associate Professor: V. Ecochard / Project leader: L. Paquereau
Collaborations: Dr G. Ferron, Dr P. Rochaix (IUCT, Toulouse), Dr S. Chabot (Urosphere, Toulouse).
Tools development for diagnostic and detection
Mucins are large glycoproteins overexpressed and under glycosylated (unmasking the TF antigen) in case of cancer, especially in epithelial ovarian cancer (MUC16) and in breast cancer (MUC 1). We are developing tools to detect these two biomarkers using the lectin as probes (coupled with mucin antibodies).
In collaboration with Membrane and DNA Dynamics team (L. Salomé), we use a single DNA biochip based on Tethered Particle Motion technic (TPM) to detect drugs, pesticides, proteins or pathogens in water by coupling the chip by different probes like aptamers, antibodies or antibodies fragments (scFv).
Investigators: Technician: C. Ladurantie / PhD student: D. Soukarié/Professor: L. Paquereau / Project leader: V. Ecochard
Collaborations: Dr. L. Salomé and C. Tardin (IPBS), Dr. P. Rousseau (LMGM, Toulouse), Dr. J.M. Escudier (LSPCMIB, Toulouse)