Glioblastoma (GB), a grade IV malignant glioma, is one of the most lethal types of human cancer, due to its aggressive and highly invasive characteristics. Approximately 40% of patients with GB are eligible for surgery, and submitted afterwards to adjuvant radio- and oral chemotherapy. A major challenge for the neurosurgeon is the total removal of cancerous cells from the tumor site. Unfortunately, tumor resection is most of the time subtotal and remaining cancer cells are responsible of local or distant tumor relapses.
We have initiated a multidisciplinary research project involving chemists, biologists and clinicians to develop a post-surgical implant allowing the local and controlled release of a therapeutic active ingredient targeted against GB cells. The implant will consist in a dynamic polymer-based hydrogel whose mechanical properties will be adapted to the brain tissue. This soft hydrogel will be loaded with a nanocarrier consisting of a biocompatible ROS-sensitive polypeptide covalently coupled to a FDA-approved photosensitizing
molecule (PS). The ultimate goal is the release of the PS upon local irradiation to induce the apoptosis of remanent GB cells.
The recruited post-doc will work on the optimization of the hydrogel (formulation and mechanical properties), loading of the PS-nanocarrier, and evaluate its efficacy in 3D-tumor models.
