Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Training experts in antigen processing to deliver new drug prototypes for cancer and autoimmune diseases

Project description

Insight into antigen processing in autoimmunity and cancer

Accumulating evidence indicates that ERAP enzymes cleave proteins to generate antigenic peptides for presentation to the immune system. As a result, these enzymes constitute attractive targets for modulating the immune system to fight autoimmune disorders and cancer. The EU-funded CAPSTONE project aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the antigen processing dysfunction encountered in these diseases and the implication of ERAP enzymes. With a long-term goal to develop innovative therapeutic drugs, CAPSTONE will bring together an intersectoral and multidisciplinary group of experts. More importantly, it will train early-stage researchers and prepare them for a career in academia or the pharmaceutical industry.

Objective

Current trends in immunotherapy are to develop immuno-modulatory small molecules for intracellular targets for single therapy or combination with existing treatments. CAPSTONE scientists have recently identified the key pathway of intracellular antigen processing for modulating the immune response. ERAP enzymes that generate antigenic peptides have thus emerged as promising targets for the cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune diseases treatments. Our innovative research approach based on ERAP, targets the upstream molecular events that cause these diseases. We aim at fully understanding this pathway, deciphering the mechanisms of antigen processing dysfunctions in diseases, and developing innovative therapeutic drugs. This will provide unique opportunities for future treatment of unmet medical needs and innovative immunotherapies. CAPSTONE will thus be an excellent scientific environment to train the next generation of 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) and establish an innovative cross-fertilisation between oncology and auto-immunity. Our fellows will be able to perform outstanding research at the forefront of transdisciplinary science within a high-calibre international network of academics, industries and patient associations. CAPSTONE brings together an intersectorial and multidisciplinary group of researchers in medicinal chemistry, X-Ray crystallography, cellular biology, oncology, autoimmunity, bioanalysis, mass spectrometry imaging, formulation, systems biology, personalised medicine that will expose the ESRs to key R&D stages, from basic research to pre-clinical development. CAPSTONE will prepare the ESRs for exciting career perspectives in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology SMEs, and provide them with scientific and transferable skills and high-value professional connections. Industrial secondments and public engagement will add to a broad skill set to ensure employability in the higher ranks of academia and industry.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DE LILLE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 549 604,08
Address
42 RUE PAUL DUEZ
59000 Lille
France

See on map

Region
Hauts-de-France Nord-Pas de Calais Nord
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 549 604,08

Participants (9)

My booklet 0 0