Fluorinated polymer nanoparticles for mRNA-based cancer therapy

Objective

Global success of COVID-19 vaccines showcased mRNA as safe and effective tool for transient protein expression and opened avenues for innovative applications of mRNA in cancer therapy but efficient delivery to solid tumors and variable response rates to immunotherapies remain the major obstacles to the development of mRNA-based cancer therapeutics. FluorNano aims to revolutionize cancer treatment by leveraging fluorine properties to enhance messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery, stability, cellular uptake, and therapy of aggressive cancers like Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) with poor survival rates. FluorNano proposes a novel approach that involves developing fluorinated polymers for the delivery of mRNA to TNBC to express engineered Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) that can sensitize cancer cells to approved anti-HER2 therapies such as Trastuzumab and Trastuzumab-Deruxtecan (T-DXd). FluorNano will last 2 years and will be conducted at University College of Cork, Ireland (24 months), and also involve a secondment at i3S Institute of University of Porto (4 months) to evaluate the efficacy of fluorinated NPs in 3D cancer models. The project’s main objectives are to develop a library of fluorinated polymeric mRNA NPs, assess HER2 mRNA delivery in vitro TNBC models, and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of mRNA-based intervention in combination with anti-HER2 therapies in animal models. FluorNano is committed to advancing cancer therapies and aligning with European missions, aiming to make a lasting impact on cancer treatment and drive sustainable improvements in patient care. The FluorNano project will advance my career by offering advanced training, improving my research skills, and expanding my professional network, helping me become an independent researcher. The public and scientific community will be informed about the project’s outcomes and the benefits of RNA-based therapies through a targeted dissemination strategy.