María J. Vicent

Polymer Therapeutics Lab,
Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia

  • CAIXARESEARCH
    AWARDEE

    Maria J. Vicent
    Polymer Therapeutics Lab,
    Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia
    Project Leader

  • PROJECT TITLE

    Sensitizing pancreatic cancer to immunotherapy with multimodal precision nanomedicines.

  • CONSORTIUM

  • HIGHLIGHTS OF
    THE PROJECT

    At Nanopanther Multifunctional nanomedicines have been rationally-designed to successfully modulate tumor-stroma-immune interactions in pancreatic cancer (PDAC). On one hand, we have established and characterized preclinical models of KRAS-mutated PDAC. These include murine and human 3D model systems of PDAC that include the pancreatic stroma. Additionally, rational design, synthesis & physico-chemico-immune characterization of synergistic therapeutic approaches for PDAC have been performed: Dendritic Cell (DC)-targeted nanovaccines, APA-siRNA nanopolyplexes and PGA-conjugates bearing a combination of PARPi and chemotherapy. These nano-therapies are aimed to prevent the establishment of the primary tumor and block subsequent seeding of metastasis by granting a long-term immunologic memory. Evaluation of the safety and antitumor efficacy of our nanomedicines, alone/in combination, in the previously- and newly-established PDAC models.

  • PROFILE

    María J. Vicent is the head of the Polymer Therapeutics Lab at Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF) since 2006 and coordinator of the Cancer Program. She is also responsible for the Screening Platform, a Specialist Site in the European infrastructure EU-OPENSCREEN. She is part of the Strategic Committee of the Valencian Agency of Innovation (AVI), serves as Director at Large for the Controlled Release Society (CRS) since 2021 and She is editor in chief of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. María’s research group (http://www.VicentResearchLab.com) focuses on the development of nanopharmaceutics for unmet clinical needs and has been funded through excellence EU grants (ERCCo-MyNano, ERC-PoC-POLYIMMUNE, ERC-PoC-Polybraint). Several Idea and Women in Science awards. Fellow of the AIMBE CoF 2019 and CRS CoF 2021; Co-authored >145 peer-reviewed papers and 15 patents, 4 licensed and one being used for co-founding the company ‘PTS S.L.’ in 2012, now Curapath after acquisition by Arcline in 2021. (Read full CV).

  • RESEARCH
    INTERESTS

    Our research focuses on developing versatile, biodegradable polypeptide-based therapeutics (including nanovaccines) with inherent imaging properties to effectively treat metastatic/advanced solid tumors or neurodegenerative disorders. We aim to overcome biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier and even target key intracellular organelles (i.e. mitochondria). By implementing multimodal therapeutic combinations tailored to individual patient needs, we strive for a personalized approach. To achieve this, we prioritize cost-efficient, controlled synthetic methods, employ validated physicochemical techniques (LC-MS; AF4), and utilize relevant preclinical models, including patient-derived. Additionally, we aim to implement liquid biopsy strategies to identify biomarkers for precise therapy design, diagnostics, and patient stratification.

  • CONTACT INFO

    Polymer Therapeutics Lab
    Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe
    Av. Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012 Valencia (Spain)
    Tel.: (+34) 963 28 96 81 ext. 2307

    http://www.VicentResearchLab.com
    Email: [email protected]
    Twitter: @mariajvicent1
    Twitter: @VicentPTLab