Project description DEENESFRITPL Novel immunotherapy against solid tumours Immuno-oncology regimens that include CAR-T therapy are powerful tools in cancer treatment. The unresolved CAR-T therapy challenges are limited therapy persistence and tumour-induced immunosuppression. The EU-funded CAR-T-uning project will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of an improved chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) treatment with a novel mechanism of action. It is based on a recent discovery that inhibition of orphan nuclear receptor NR2F6 increases therapy persistence and reduces immunosuppression at the tumour site to improve immune response. The researchers will validate the novel CAR-T approach using in vivo mouse and ex vivo patient-derived tumour models, focusing on non-small cell lung cancer, and determine the commercial feasibility to establish the best path to market. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective CAR-T(uning) will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of an improved and broadly applicable chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) approach based on a novel implemented mechanism of action. There is an urgent need for more effective treatment strategies against cancer, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Immuno-oncology regimens such as, immune checkpoint blockade therapy (ICT) and CAR-T therapy emerged as powerful tools in cancer treatment, however, in the majority of patients these fail to achieve long-lasting therapy response. Further, they remain costly and applicable to a limited range of cancer types. Specifically, CAR-T therapy faces two unresolved challenges: 1) limited therapy persistence; 2) tumor-induced immunosuppression. Consequently, no CAR-T therapy against solid tumor cancers has reached the market. Prof. Gottfried Baier has uncovered that inhibition of orphan nuclear receptor NR2F6, a downstream target of T cell antigen receptor signaling intermediate PKCθ, overcomes these shortcomings in a two-fold manner: 1) increased therapy persistence to improve its long-lasting effects; 2) reduced immunosuppression at the tumor site to improve immune response. Within this ERC PoC, first we will technically validate this approach using in vivo mouse and ex vivo patient-derived tumor models. We will focus on NSCLC as first indication, as it is one of the most-difficult to treat solid cancers with high mortality rate and disease burden. Subsequently, commercial feasibility will be determined by verifying IP position and strategy, performing in-depth market and competitor analyses, and finally consolidating these into a business plan to establish the best path to commercialization. Successful commercialization of CAR-T(uning) would reduce the socioeconomic burden of NSCLC, extending and improving patient lives, and enable the development of long-lasting, (cost-)effective CAR-T therapies applicable to a greater range of cancer types. Fields of science social sciencessociologydemographymortalitymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancermedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologies Programme(s) HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2022-POC1 - ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS1 Call for proposal ERC-2022-POC1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG-LS - HORIZON Lump Sum Grant Coordinator MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAT INNSBRUCK Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address Christoph probst platz 1 6020 Innsbruck Austria See on map Region Westösterreich Tirol Innsbruck Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
