The purpose of the DIAGBI project is to develop a new technology that will allow for the early diagnosis and non-invasive monitoring of more aggressive brain tumours with a lower life expectancy for the patients, such as glioblastomas. At present, the diagnosis requires the performance of brain tumour biopsies through neurosurgery, an operation that requires a great deal of planning and can be traumatic for the patients. For other types of tumours, it has been possible to apply immuno-PET techniques to classify the tumour using antibody-based Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracers, which allow the tumour to be diagnosed without having to extract any tissue. However, in the case of brain tumours, the hematoencephalic barrier, a film that protects the brain from the entry of foreign substances to the body, has prevented the application of these types of non-invasive techniques.

The DIAGBI projects proposes to conquer this barrier through the use of nanoparticles that are capable of penetrating it, which will transport the PET tracers together with the necessary antibodies for the genetic classification of the tumour. In this case, Vall d’Hebron Research Industry will provide the antibody-based PET radiotracers. This way, it would be possible to accelerate the diagnosis and monitoring times and prevent difficult and costly neurosurgery interventions. The ultimate aim is to improve and extend the quality of life of patients and make more efficient use of the resources of the health system.

In addition to the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, the following institutions participated in this project, which represents a pioneering scientific and technological effort at international level: Vall d'Hebron Oncology Institute (VHIO), CIMUS-USC, MIBIOPHARM, The La Paz University Hospital of Madrid Biomedical Research Foundation, NASASBIOTECH SL, SUNROCK BIOPHARMA SL. and QUBIOTECH HEALTH INTELLIGENCE S.L.

The consortium devotes around 40% of the project’s budget to contracting young researchers, thus being supported by the training of highly specialised personnel a cutting-edge area of oncological research. Furthermore, it is expected that the project will have a high impact at an international level due to its innovative, multidisciplinary approach.