• María José Alonso’s Lab participates in the DIAGBI project for the early and non-invasive diagnosis of brain tumors
• “Early molecular nanoDIAGnostics of Brain tumors using ImmunePET (DIAGBI)” will receive more than 1.4 million euros of financing from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain
• The main objective of DIAGBI is to develop a new technology that allows early diagnosis and non-invasive monitoring of the most aggressive brain tumors, glioblastomas, using immuno-PET techniques

The group led by Professor María José Alonso at CiMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, participates in the ‘Early molecular nanoDIAGnostics of Brain tumors using ImmunePET (DIAGBI)’ Project, which aims to develop a new technology that allows early diagnosis and non-invasive follow-up of glioblastomas, the most aggressive brain tumors with a shorter life expectancy for patients.
The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation will finance this project, coordinated by the CiMUS research groups led by María José Alonso and Pablo Aguiar, with more than 1.4 million euros between 2021 and 2024, within the framework of the call for R+D+i Projects in Strategic Lines.
Currently, the diagnosis of this type of brain tumors requires biopsies of the tumor tissue through neurosurgery, an operation that involves a lot of planning and is traumatic for patients. In other types of tumors, it has been possible to apply immuno-PET techniques for the characterization of the tumor using antibodies linked to radiotracers of Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which allow diagnosis without biopsy. However, in brain tumors, the blood-brain barrier –a film that protects the brain from the entry of foreign substances into the body– has prevented the application of these non-invasive techniques.

Nanoparticles to overcome the blood-brain barrier
The DIAGBI project aims to overcome this barrier by using nanoparticles, capable of penetrating it, which carry the PET tracers together with the antibodies necessary for the genetic characterization of the tumor. In this way, it would be possible to speed up diagnosis and follow-up times, and avoid difficult and expensive neurosurgical interventions. The ultimate objective is to improve and extend the quality of life of patients and make the resources of the Health System more efficient.
The laboratory led by Professor María José Alonso (MJ Alonso LAB) will design and synthesize nanocarriers capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, bringing immuno-PET agents to the target tissue.