TU Dublin PlasmaPLUS Project Aims to Revolutionise Glioblastoma Treatment Through Innovative Prodrug Development
The PlasmaPLUS project is leading the charge in developing novel treatments for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. This ambitious initiative, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, is spearheaded by Prof. James Curtin and Dr. Gemma Kinsella (TU Dublin), in collaboration with leading researchers from University College Dublin (UCD) and Maynooth University.
PlasmaPLUS is focused on creating a diverse family of prodrugs using a structure-activity relationship (SAR) approach. The team is currently synthesising and characterising pyrazolopyrimidinones, employing advanced techniques such as NMR, IR, HRMS, and CHN analysis. Their synthetic chemistry research has already been showcased at the 75th Irish Universities Chemistry Research Colloquium and the Chemical Biology Ireland Conference, where their poster won a prestigious award.
The prodrugs are undergoing extensive testing for cytotoxicity against glioblastoma cells through both 2D and advanced 3D cell culture protocols at TU Dublin. The integration of computational chemistry in compound design is essential for identifying promising lead candidates. The team is also developing key experimental systems, including spheroid cultures and 3D bioprinting, to model tumour microenvironments accurately.
A notable feature of PlasmaPLUS is its innovative use of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) to activate prodrugs directly at the tumour site. This programmable therapeutic platform will enable precise regulation of prodrug activation, allowing for targeted control over the concentration, type, duration, and location of cytotoxic agents within cells. This approach aims to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing the side effects commonly associated with cancer therapies. Discussing the project Professor James Curtin, Faculty Dean of Engineering & Built Environment, TU Dublin said:
Using Cold Plasma as a technological therapy, allows for the local control of therapeutic activation while minimising side effects associated with cancer treatment. This innovative strategy will both improve the effectiveness of current cancer treatments but also has the potential to significantly advance the state-of-the-art in oncology.
As the PlasmaPLUS project progresses, it stands to significantly advance the landscape of oncology, offering hope for more effective treatments for glioblastoma and potentially other cancers.
Image Citation: J. Wanigasekara, C. Barcia, P. J. Cullen, B. Tiwari, J. F. Curtin. Plasma induced reactive oxygen species‐dependent cytotoxicity in glioblastoma 3D tumourspheres. Plasma Processes Polym. 2022;19:e2100157.
Key Highlights
- Members of the PlasmaPLUS project contribute to the EU COST action PlasaTHER
- PlasmaPLUS research was presented orally at the 3rd PlasTHER meeting in Budapest, Hungary, June 10th – 13th
- The research was presented by poster at the 10th International Conference on Plasma Medicine (ICPM10) in Slovenia on the 8th-13th Sept 2024 (winning the second poster prize).
- PlasmaPLUS research was further disseminated to the wider public through outreach activities at the National Ploughing Championships, Sept 2024.
Please see https://www.plasther.eu/ie-plasmaplus for project overview.
Contact people:
- Dr Gemma Kinsella, Head, Food Science and Industrial Biotechnology, School of Food Science and Environmental Health
- Professor James Curtin, Faculty Dean of Engineering & Built Environment, TU Dublin