CELL THERAPY: Development of new therapies for brain tumours using encapsulated cell technology

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 02.0444

Key words (English)

Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Scientific Research

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLG1-2000-00815

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.3 The 'cell factory'

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

The main goal of this proposal is to develop, produce and validate a cell-based targeted therapeutic delivery system comprising cells encapsulated in an ultrapure alginate gel. Cell lines will be developed which produce tumour growth inhibitory substances such as antiangiogenic proteins (endostatin, angiostatin) as well as antibodies to cancer cell growth receptors. The encapsulated cell prototype will be evaluated for efficacy against brain tumours, for which there is no adequate treatment today. An ultrapure alginate will be developed and characterised which will meet regulatory standards for implantation into the brain. The final step in the proposal is to document the preclinical efficacy of this alginate encapsulated cell therapy towards brain tumours in small animal models such as rats and in spontaneously occurring brain tumours in dogs.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 02.0444