Development of nature-inspired photoresponsive anticancer agents - sclareol and artemisinin derivatives in cancer multidrug-resistance models: a foundation for the theranostic approach

Project acronym:   PhotoSCLART

Project type:   PRISM

Grant agreement No.:   HF-195

   

Project is funded by:   Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (Belgrade, Serbia)

Instituions where the research is conducted:

• University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry (Belgrade, Serbia) – Coordination
• Innovation center of the Faculty of Chemisty in Belgrade (Belgrade, Serbia) – Beneficiary
• Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (Belgrade, Serbia) – Beneficiary
• Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" (Belgrade, Serbia) – Beneficiary

Project realization is scheduled from December 1, 2023 till November 30, 2026.

Project staff

Short description of the project

PhotoSCLART will deliver photoresponsive sclareol- (SCL) and artemisinin (ART)-based hybrid compounds with a potential for application in cancer diagnostics and therapy (theranostic approach).

Hard-to-treat cancers with multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell populations represent a challenge for treatment. In addition, there is a lack of tools for their diagnosis. Natural products or nature-inspired compounds account for 50% of approved anticancer drugs. Therefore, PhotoSCLART will create a chemical library of natural product derivatives (NPDs) through derivatization of SCL and ART which will be screened to determine the most potent candidates. Compounds with optimal characteristics will be transformed into Dye−NPD conjugates. Our aim is to obtain photoresponsive molecules that will undergo NPD release selectively in cancer cells or MDR cancer cells when irradiated with visible-light wavelengths that are not harmful to cells and tissue. In such a way, PhotoSCLART will provide a unique tool for cancer theranostics based on natural products.

PhotoSCLART will also strengthen the professional capacities of young researchers involved in the project and foster collaboration between basic research and pharmaceutical companies/accelerators.

Ultimately, our aim is to show the applicative potential of our research and the benefits offered by photoresponsive NPDs as anticancer theranostic agents, particularly in eradicating MDR cancer cells.