PROJECT SUMMARY

The main scientific objective of the HemDelStim project is to open a new approach and a new scientific direction for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney dysfunction and liver cancer. Unlike the therapeutic approach so far, which involves performing the process of hemodialysis (to replace kidney function) and performing chemotherapy in parallel with this procedure, the project aims to combine the two, in an intelligent way, with minimal impact on the body. The drug used to treat liver cancer (doxorubicin) will be encapsulated in supramolecular or polymeric architectures, the release being made strictly on the basis of a stimulus - the tumor marker for this type of cancer (alpha-fetoprotein). Supramolecular or polymeric architectures containing doxorubicin, functionalized with a monoclonal antibody for alpha-fetoprotein, will be used for this intelligent release. The presence of alpha-fetoprotein in dialysis blood will cause encapsulation to break down and doxorubicin to be released. Supramolecular or polymeric architectures containing the alpha-fetoprotein monoclonal antibodies, with encapsulated doxorubicin on the surface, will be immobilized on polysulfone membranes for hemodialysis (membranes containing anticoagulants on the surface). The combination of the two therapeutic procedures - hemodialysis and controlled release, is the main novelty of the project. The project is funded by UEFISCDI and has a value of RON 1183559 (2021-2024).