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The technology of the CP4C project, based on hydrogels treated with plasma gas, is being developed by the team of researchers at the PlasmaMedLab and the Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group (BBT) of CREB at the UPC. CP4C is one of the University projects that has obtained a grant from Barcelona Deep Tech Node to accelerate its launch on the market.
Participants in the project are the Plasmas for BioMedical Applications laboratory (PlasmaMED Lab), which is part of CREB’s Plasmas for Biomedical Applications division of the Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group (BBT) at the UPC. The project is based on developing a treatment for osteosarcoma through plasma-treated liquids (PTL). It has been found that PTLs can kill cancer cells due to the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) that they contain. Unlike the side effects produced by chemotherapy, at adequate doses, RONS induce the death of tumour cells without damaging healthy tissues. RONS can be generated in liquids and in hydrogels (PTH) that are injected locally into tumours to achieve controlled release.
Through these hydrogels, in combination with ceramic materials such as calcium phosphates, a composite material is obtained that eliminates cancer cells due to the action of the RONS and promotes bone regeneration.
The solution is therefore a less aggressive, highly efficient innovative therapy to eradicate bone cancer, with the possibility of regenerating the bone tissue that is affected after surgical resection of the tumour. The anti-cancer potential and safety of treatments with PTL/PTH has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Through CP4C, the aim is to advance in the validation of technology in in vitro environments and in relevant in vivo preclinical animal models, following the guidelines of the corresponding regulatory agencies.
Accelerating technological development
Barcelona Deep Tech Node is a partnership to promote technological and innovative projects between Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, and the University of Barcelona (UB), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Open University of Catalonia (UOC), in addition to the UPC. Since the start of the initiative, a hundred projects and spin-offs from universities and research centres have participated in events, investment forums or mentoring sessions. ‘Proof of Concept’ grants of 225,000 euros provide access to funding for selected projects, accelerate their technological development and cut the time it takes for them to reach the market. In addition, these grants will enable crucial actions to be designed for science and technology-based projects, such as undertaking market studies, formalising patents or presenting projects to investment forums, among others.
Related Projects
- A joint UPC research team, integrated by the CommSensLab-UPC, and the ICM-CSIC, is participating in the EO4TIP project, which is developing new Earth observation methodologies to detect tipping points and sudden changes at local and regional scale on Earth using high-resolution satellite data.
- A team from the e-PLASCOM and eb-POLICOM research groups, alongside the Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering (CCEM) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), is involved in the EcoPolyRub project in partnership with the Centre Català del Plàstic (CCP). The initiative aims to create innovative elastomeric materials based on recycled tyre rubber, enhanced recycled plastics, and natural rubber for high-performance mechanical and thermal applications.
- Un equip de recerca de la UPC, integrat pel CommSensLab-UPC i el Remote Sensing Lab (RSLAB) de la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), juntament amb l’Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), ha participat en el projecte AI4EO, amb l’objectiu d’impulsar solucions i posar en pràctica eines d’intel·ligència artificial aplicades a dades d’observació de la Terra en diversos casos d’ús sobre el territori català.
- The e-PLASCOM research group at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) is developing a solution based on biodegradable sodium alginate and gelatin aerogels for the purification of non-potable water and desalination using solar energy.
