Scan Nano Treat: “All-in-One” Nanoparticles for Imaging and Treating Cancer

Theranostic nanoparticles at the heart of innovation

Scan Nano Treat is based on the development of nanoparticles capable of combining cancer imaging and treatment within a single system. These nanoparticles are theranostic agents, a term derived from the combination of therapy and diagnosis.

“They are, in a way, like mini Swiss Army knives that enable both imaging and cancer treatment using a single machine, the X-ray scanner,” summarizes Frédéric Lerouge, Professor at the University of Lyon 1, researcher at the Lyon Chemistry Laboratory (LCH – ENS de Lyon / CNRS / University of Lyon 1), and project coordinator.

Left: Frédéric Lerouge (Professor at the University of Lyon 1 – coordinator of the Scan project); right : Frédéric Chaput (Research Director - involved in the ScanNanoTreat project)

The particle is an all-in-one solution: it serves both as a contrast agent for imaging and as a drug for treatment. It should be noted that, initially, it is not a drug, but when this particle is exposed to X-rays, they activate its therapeutic function.

With Scan Nano Treat, the goal is to take the next step by moving from small animal models to validation in larger animals, particularly pigs, within the next three years. The idea is to eventually move on to human trials.

Frédéric Lerouge is involved in the overall coordination of the project as well as the scientific aspects related to nanoparticle chemistry, alongside Frédéric Chaput (CNRS Research Director), who is also part of this project. “The goal is to optimize these systems so that they are both highly effective as contrast agents for imaging and effective as therapeutic agents, while remaining as harmless as possible as long as they are not activated,” explains Frédéric Le Rouge.

From Academic Research to Medical Innovation

Building directly on the promising results of the SCANnTREAT[1], project, Scan Nano Treat paves the way for a crucial step: moving the technology from the laboratory to clinical and industrial applications.

“We are truly in the midst of a transition from the laboratory to industry,” explains Frédéric Lerouge.

The goal is clear: to transform a scientific proof of concept into a technology mature enough to be considered for industrial exploitation, in the form of licenses or startups.

This is the first project in France led by an academic institution in this program, and one of three health projects selected in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Lucie Meunier— a current ScanNanoTreat PhD student — is preparing a nanoparticle suspension for the project.

Using an ultrasonic bath to promote the dispersion of nanoparticles in water.

State-of-the-art imaging for precise and quantifiable monitoring

In Lyon, the project benefits from an exceptional technological environment thanks to the presence, at the Bron hospitals, of a photon-counting spectral CT scanner, the SPCCT: a next-generation scanner with particularly high-resolution imaging and quantification capabilities.

It is following the development of this technology, developed by Philips in collaboration with Prof. Philippe Douek [2], that the Scan N Treat and then Scan Nano Treat projects emerged successively.

The combination of the spectral scanner and the nanoparticles developed at the LCH makes it possible to envision simultaneous, real-time monitoring of diagnosis and treatment for various diseases, with a particular focus on cancer. The project is currently focused on pancreatic cancer, a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

A collaborative European project

With a budget of approximately 2.5 million euros, Scan Nano Treat is built upon a close collaboration between academic and industrial partners. The University of Lyon 1 is coordinating the project, working with Lyon Ingénierie Projets (LIP) on its setup and management. Scan Nano Treat involves two university-affiliated laboratories—LCH and CREATIS—as well as Maastricht University, the Irish company Inelcom for technology transfer and intellectual property aspects, and finally Guerbet, a major manufacturer of contrast agents, and Philips for the scanner component.

It is the strength of the bonds forged between these partners that Frédéric Lerouge is keen to highlight when commenting on the successful EIC Transition grant application: “We were truly delighted. This success is all the more significant because we had begun to build a solid foundation with our collaborators, both in terms of setting up the project and preparing for the oral presentation. There was truly a shared commitment to working together.”

Lucie Meunier and Frédéric Lerouge preparing a nanoparticle suspension.