The CIMUS research group led by María José Alonso is taking part in the ONCOLIBERYX consortium for the development of marine-derived anticancer drugs

Cancer is currently the second biggest cause of death in developed western countries. Despite major advances in determining the biological mechanisms underlying the disease and new therapeutic approaches, concerns regarding the side effects of these drugs are driving research into more selective and effective therapeutic formulations and regimens.

In line with this, the CIMUS Research Group led by María José Alonso at the Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS) of the Universidad of Santiago de Compostela (USC)(link is external), and part of the CIGUS Network will participate in the ONCOLIBERYX Consortium, led by PharmaMar(link is external),which integrates four groups that are spearheading the fields of nanotechnology and oncology in Spain. The project aims to develop unique formulations that could lead to new oncology therapies based on the marine compounds in PharmaMar’s collection.

Approaches, methods and coordination.

ONCOLIBERYX focuses on the search for new drug delivery strategies that will increase the specificity of active anticancer compounds, decreasing toxicity and side effects, whilst maintaining and/or boosting the therapeutic effects.

The consortium benefits from the expertise and knowledge of leading Spanish researchers in the field of new drug delivery systems, immunotherapy and cancer such as professors María José Alonso (Professor of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Santiago de Compostela), María Blanco (University of Navarra), Ignacio Melero (Centre for Applied Medical Research at the University of Navarra) and José Luis Pedraz (University of the Basque Country).

Pilar Calvo, PhD, the project’s technical coordinator, pointed out that “in the last 20 years, drug nanocarriers (liposomes, lipid and polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, antibody-drug conjugates, etc.) have shown significant advantages in meeting these challenges. The research resulting from PharmaMar’s collaboration with these innovative research groups will undoubtedly lead to progress in the search for more effective and safer drugs”.

María José Alonso, head of the CIMUS working group, included in the CIGUS Network, which comprises those centres whose research quality and impact has been accredited by the Galician Autonomous Government (Xunta de Galicia),heads a laboratory staffed by 20 professionals with a clear focus on the development of anticancer therapies based on the use of nanotechnology. It is also the promoter of the spin-off Libera Bio, geared towards precision medicine in oncology. Professor Alonso stressed that “it is extremely gratifying to embark on this new challenge with PharmaMar, which has been one of our collaborators for several decades now. Without a doubt, the research resulting from PharmaMar’s collaboration will represent a step forward in the search for more effective and safer drugs”.