Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CRYSTAL3 (Commercial & Research Opportunity for Cysteinyl Leukotriene Signalling in Ocular & CNS Dysfunction, Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31
Millions of people worldwide suffer from diseases that impose significant health and economic burdens. Ocular disorders, including blindness and vision impairment, affect over 2.5 billion people, costing Europe around €20 billion annually. Neurological diseases, such as dementia and neurodegeneration, result in €800 billion in healthcare costs per year across Europe, yet effective treatments remain scarce. Cancer is responsible for 1 in 6 deaths globally, with incidence projected to rise to 29 million cases by 2040, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, costing over €100 billion annually and affecting 15 million Europeans.
To address these critical health challenges, CRYSTAL3 (Grant Agreement 101007931) was established under the EU Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE programme, with a total funding of €887,800. This international consortium brings together 15 partners from 9 countries, integrating expertise from academia and industry to explore the therapeutic potential of Cysteinyl Leukotriene (CysLT) signalling in cancer, cardiovascular, ocular, and neurological diseases.
CysLTs are potent inflammatory mediators that play a critical role in immune responses. While CysLT receptor-targeting drugs are currently prescribed for airway inflammation, emerging evidence suggests that these receptors also regulate tumour growth, neuroinflammation, and cardiovascular dysfunction. However, their therapeutic potential beyond respiratory diseases remains largely unexplored.
Objectives of CRYSTAL3
1) Understand the role of CysLT signalling in human diseases – Investigating how it influences the progression of cancer, cardiovascular, ocular, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
2) Develop new targeted therapies – Exploring novel drug candidates and biological mechanisms to modulate CysLT signalling for potential therapeutic applications.
3) Enhance commercialisation and industry collaboration – Translating research findings into marketable diagnostic tools, drug discovery platforms, and clinical applications.
Through CRYSTAL3, researchers have uncovered the important role of Cysteinyl Leukotriene (CysLT) signalling in disease progression, offering new insights into its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer, cardiovascular and ocular disorders. The project has resulted in novel preclinical models, promising drug candidates, and biomarker discoveries, some of which are now being explored for commercialisation. The collaboration between academic institutions, SMEs, and industry partners has strengthened research capacity in Europe, fostering 177+ months of intersectoral secondments and facilitating knowledge transfer. CRYSTAL3’s findings have not only expanded scientific understanding but have also paved the way for translational applications, with some results already feeding into follow-up projects and commercial initiatives. The project leaves a strong legacy in inflammation-related disease research, offering new opportunities for future drug development, personalised medicine, and commercial innovation beyond its completion.
By facilitating knowledge exchange and intersectoral collaboration through secodnments across academic and industrial partners, CRYSTAL3 has advanced scientific knowledge and paved the way for future breakthroughs in the treatment of inflammation, cancer progression, and degenerative disorders.
To address these critical health challenges, CRYSTAL3 (Grant Agreement 101007931) was established under the EU Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE programme, with a total funding of €887,800. This international consortium brings together 15 partners from 9 countries, integrating expertise from academia and industry to explore the therapeutic potential of Cysteinyl Leukotriene (CysLT) signalling in cancer, cardiovascular, ocular, and neurological diseases.
CysLTs are potent inflammatory mediators that play a critical role in immune responses. While CysLT receptor-targeting drugs are currently prescribed for airway inflammation, emerging evidence suggests that these receptors also regulate tumour growth, neuroinflammation, and cardiovascular dysfunction. However, their therapeutic potential beyond respiratory diseases remains largely unexplored.
Objectives of CRYSTAL3
1) Understand the role of CysLT signalling in human diseases – Investigating how it influences the progression of cancer, cardiovascular, ocular, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
2) Develop new targeted therapies – Exploring novel drug candidates and biological mechanisms to modulate CysLT signalling for potential therapeutic applications.
3) Enhance commercialisation and industry collaboration – Translating research findings into marketable diagnostic tools, drug discovery platforms, and clinical applications.
Through CRYSTAL3, researchers have uncovered the important role of Cysteinyl Leukotriene (CysLT) signalling in disease progression, offering new insights into its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer, cardiovascular and ocular disorders. The project has resulted in novel preclinical models, promising drug candidates, and biomarker discoveries, some of which are now being explored for commercialisation. The collaboration between academic institutions, SMEs, and industry partners has strengthened research capacity in Europe, fostering 177+ months of intersectoral secondments and facilitating knowledge transfer. CRYSTAL3’s findings have not only expanded scientific understanding but have also paved the way for translational applications, with some results already feeding into follow-up projects and commercial initiatives. The project leaves a strong legacy in inflammation-related disease research, offering new opportunities for future drug development, personalised medicine, and commercial innovation beyond its completion.
By facilitating knowledge exchange and intersectoral collaboration through secodnments across academic and industrial partners, CRYSTAL3 has advanced scientific knowledge and paved the way for future breakthroughs in the treatment of inflammation, cancer progression, and degenerative disorders.
Since its launch in January 2021, CRYSTAL3 has worked to uncover the role of Cysteinyl Leukotriene (CysLT) signalling in cancer, eye diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. The project brought together experts from universities, research centres, and industry to explore how this inflammatory pathway affects disease progression and whether it could be targeted for new treatments.
One of the main achievements of the project has been the development of new laboratory models to study diseases linked to CysLT. These include zebrafish models, patient-derived cancer models, and gene-editing techniques (CRISPR) to better understand how CysLT receptors behave in different tissues. A key breakthrough was the discovery that blocking CysLT1 receptors could trigger ferroptosis (a type of cell death) in metastatic uveal melanoma, opening possibilities for future cancer treatments.
To move beyond basic research, CRYSTAL3 also focused on developing new drug candidates. Researchers tested small-molecule inhibitors that might block harmful effects of CysLT signalling in different diseases. The project also explored nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems to improve how treatments reach affected tissues, particularly in eye diseases.
A major part of CRYSTAL3 was the exchange of knowledge between academic and industrial partners. Over 177 months of secondments were completed, allowing researchers to train in different environments, learn new techniques, and build collaborations that will continue beyond the project.
To share its findings, the project has produced peer-reviewed scientific papers, conference presentations, and a patent related to potential biomarkers for inflammation and cancer. CRYSTAL3 also ran public awareness campaigns, such as the Uveal Melanoma Awareness Campaign, and outreach activities, including school and lab visits to engage students in science.
As CRYSTAL3 comes to an end, its findings are already feeding into new research projects and commercial initiatives. The knowledge gained will help in developing new diagnostic tools, drug discovery platforms, and personalised medicine approaches, ensuring long-lasting impact beyond the project's lifetime.
One of the main achievements of the project has been the development of new laboratory models to study diseases linked to CysLT. These include zebrafish models, patient-derived cancer models, and gene-editing techniques (CRISPR) to better understand how CysLT receptors behave in different tissues. A key breakthrough was the discovery that blocking CysLT1 receptors could trigger ferroptosis (a type of cell death) in metastatic uveal melanoma, opening possibilities for future cancer treatments.
To move beyond basic research, CRYSTAL3 also focused on developing new drug candidates. Researchers tested small-molecule inhibitors that might block harmful effects of CysLT signalling in different diseases. The project also explored nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems to improve how treatments reach affected tissues, particularly in eye diseases.
A major part of CRYSTAL3 was the exchange of knowledge between academic and industrial partners. Over 177 months of secondments were completed, allowing researchers to train in different environments, learn new techniques, and build collaborations that will continue beyond the project.
To share its findings, the project has produced peer-reviewed scientific papers, conference presentations, and a patent related to potential biomarkers for inflammation and cancer. CRYSTAL3 also ran public awareness campaigns, such as the Uveal Melanoma Awareness Campaign, and outreach activities, including school and lab visits to engage students in science.
As CRYSTAL3 comes to an end, its findings are already feeding into new research projects and commercial initiatives. The knowledge gained will help in developing new diagnostic tools, drug discovery platforms, and personalised medicine approaches, ensuring long-lasting impact beyond the project's lifetime.
CRYSTAL3 has made significant progress in understanding inflammation-related diseases by uncovering new biological roles of CysLT signalling. Before this project, little was known about how these molecules contribute to diseases outside of asthma. CRYSTAL3 has changed that, showing how CysLT receptors influence cancer growth, cardiovascular dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.
One of the most exciting outcomes has been the discovery that blocking CysLT1 receptors may help fight metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare but aggressive cancer. This could lead to new treatment strategies for patients who currently have few options. The project has also developed drug screening tools and biomarker panels, which could improve the early detection of disease and help doctors personalise treatments.
Beyond scientific discoveries, CRYSTAL3 has helped researchers and companies work together. Through international secondments and joint projects, the consortium has created a strong network of experts who will continue collaborating on therapeutic innovations. This has strengthened Europe’s research and biotechnology landscape, ensuring that knowledge is shared and used for real-world applications.
In terms of economic and societal impact, the project has supported small businesses in biotech and drug development, helping them refine commercial strategies and prepare new medical technologies for the market. It has also played a key role in raising public awareness of research on cancer, inflammation, and rare diseases.
By combining scientific innovation, industry collaboration, and public engagement, CRYSTAL3 has laid the foundation for future discoveries and better healthcare solutions. Its results will continue to shape new research, treatments, and commercial opportunities, ensuring a lasting impact on medicine and society.
One of the most exciting outcomes has been the discovery that blocking CysLT1 receptors may help fight metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare but aggressive cancer. This could lead to new treatment strategies for patients who currently have few options. The project has also developed drug screening tools and biomarker panels, which could improve the early detection of disease and help doctors personalise treatments.
Beyond scientific discoveries, CRYSTAL3 has helped researchers and companies work together. Through international secondments and joint projects, the consortium has created a strong network of experts who will continue collaborating on therapeutic innovations. This has strengthened Europe’s research and biotechnology landscape, ensuring that knowledge is shared and used for real-world applications.
In terms of economic and societal impact, the project has supported small businesses in biotech and drug development, helping them refine commercial strategies and prepare new medical technologies for the market. It has also played a key role in raising public awareness of research on cancer, inflammation, and rare diseases.
By combining scientific innovation, industry collaboration, and public engagement, CRYSTAL3 has laid the foundation for future discoveries and better healthcare solutions. Its results will continue to shape new research, treatments, and commercial opportunities, ensuring a lasting impact on medicine and society.