PEGASO - Nanotechnology-based Platforms for the improvEment of therapeutic strateGies in soft tissue sArcoma and melanoma leSiOns

Abstract

The 40% of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and melanoma patients will develop metastases affecting patient's quality of life and represent the leading cause of death for these diseases. Standard first-line agents are often not effective in containing metastases spreading and suffer from systemic toxicity. Moreover, emerging therapeutic strategies including vaccines should be improved to enhance their effectiveness.

PEGASO proposes a groundbreaking approach for the improvement of STS and melanoma treatment through the use of nanotechnology-based platforms, enabling to deliver anticancer drugs improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing drug toxicity.

PEGASO will be articulated into 2 main independent AIMS:

1. Improvement of standard therapeutic strategies for STS and Melanoma through the development of innovative medicated devices and drug delivery systems
2. Improvement of autologous dendritic cell vaccine through tumor RNA delivery vesicles as strategy to restore immunity

Team leader

Prof. Damiano Genovese

Partnership

1. IRST Meldola - Istituto scientifico romagnolo per lo studio e la cura dei tumori - Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Immunotherapy, Rare Tumors and Biological Resource Center

2. University of Bologna (UniBO) - Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician

3. IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IOR) Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit