ERYSO

ERYSO aims to develop innovative therapeutic solutions based on photodynamic (PDT), and sonodynamic (SDT) therapies using engineered red blood cells (RBCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from RBCs in combination with magnetothermal (MHT) therapy. Both RBCs and RBC-derived EVs are characterized by their ability to transport hemoglobin, the body's natural oxygen carrier, and exhibit long circulation times, providing a unique advantage for therapeutic delivery. Encapsulating photosensitizers (PSs) and engineering these carriers for tumor targeting addresses a major limitation of existing PDT and SDT solutions, hypoxic tumor regions, by delivering oxygen directly to these areas, enhancing therapy efficacy. Combining PDT and SDT with MHT further amplifies therapeutic outcomes, providing a multimodal approach to tumor eradication. Magnetic nanoparticles for MHT or titanium oxide nanoparticles for SDT will be encapsulated in the carriers to enable combination of therapies. Tumor targeting will be achieved by functionalizing RBC glycocalyx with targeting peptides or incorporating functionalized lipids into EVs. Enhanced tumor uptake of EVs and RBCs will be facilitated through the Focus Ultrasound (FUS) technique, which temporarily permeabilizes the blood-tumor barrier. Tumor targeting and oxygen delivery will be monitored using advanced molecular imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Therapeutic efficacy will be evaluated in relevant tumor models, combining molecular imaging and histopathological analysis. The project envisions developing personalized therapies based on autologous patient components, ensuring localized treatment with reduced side effects. By leveraging the natural compatibility of RBCs and EVs and integrating cutting-edge targeting and delivery technologies, ERYSO advances the potential of personalized and multimodal cancer therapies.