Cristina Canal receives funding from the Barcelona Deep Tech Node for her project CP4C

Project "CP4C: Cold atmospheric Plasma technology for Cancer treatment", based on developing a treatment for osteosarcoma using plasma-gas treated liquids (PTLs), has been funded by Barcelona Deep Tech Node (Ajuntament de Barcelona).

It is proved that PTLs can kill cancer cells thanks to the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) they contain. Unlike the side effects produced by chemotherapy, at appropriate doses, RONS induce the death of tumor cells without damaging healthy tissues. These RONS can be generated in liquids and also in hydrogels (PTH), which are injected locally into the tumor to achieve a controlled release of the RONS. Through these hydrogels, in combination with ceramic materials such as calcium phosphates, a composite material able to eliminate cancer cells thanks to the action of RONS and promotes bone regeneration, has been obtained by Dr. Canal's team.

The solution is, therefore, a less aggressive and highly efficient innovative therapy to eradicate bone cancer, with the possibility of regenerating the affected bone tissue after surgical resection of the tumor. The anticancer potential and safety of PTL/PTH treatments has been demonstrated in vitro and also in vivo. With the CP4C project, it is intended to advance the validation of the technology in both in vitro environments and in the most relevant preclinical in vivo animal models, following the guidelines of the corresponding regulatory agencies.

Barcelona Deep Tech Node is an alliance to promote technological and innovative projects between Barcelona City Council and the main Universities in the city. This call will facilitate the selected projects' access to financing, speed up technological development and shorten time to market. In addition, they will make it possible to channel other crucial aspects of science and technology-based projects, such as the conduct of market studies, the formalization of patents or the presentation to investment forums, among others.