ELECTROCHEMICAL DNA-BASED SENSORS FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY MONITORING

Project Information

IMMUNO-MONITORING

Grant agreement ID: 101069250

DOI

10.3030/101069250

Project closed

EC signature date 25 May 2022

Start date 1 June 2022

End date 30 November 2023

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI BIOSTRUTTURE E BIOSISTEMI
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMMUNO-MONITORING (ELECTROCHEMICAL DNA-BASED SENSORS FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY MONITORING)

Reporting period: 2022-06-01 to 2023-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

During the initial part of the ERC Consolidator Grant PROTOOLKITS we have successfully demonstrated a novel approach for antibodies detection. The platform uses antigen-conjugated synthetic DNA strands to achieve the rapid and inexpensive detection of target antibodies. The goal of this project was to evaluate the commercial potential of this platform for immunotherapy efficacy monitoring with particular focus on the detection and characterization of bispecific
antibodies (BsAb). More specifically, the goal of this project was to validate a new DNA-based technology for the detection and monitoring of BsAb. This was in fact considered as the application that best highlights the features of our platform (versatility and programmability).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In this project we focused on a specific model BsAb target, Anti EGFR/Anti Muc1 BsAb. This BsAb joins together the recognition elements of two of the most used antitumor recognition elements targeting EGFR and Muc1, respectively. This BsAb can thus bind and inactivate two receptors simultaneously and is designed as a possible thereapeutic antibody for breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, etc. In our project we have succesfully demonstrated the detection of such model BsAb at low nanomolar concentrations. The system we developed can efficiently detect the target BsAb with high sensitivity, specificity (no significant activation with monospecific antibodies was observed), and good selectivity in complex sample matrices (plasma).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The new detection system we have characterized during this project presents advantageous features in comparison with standard methods such as ELISA that make it suitable for point-of-care applications. Cost analysis of the production of the sensing kits and of new kits development (for new targets) is also highly advantageous making the technology a promising starting point for a start-up company. We are now considering initiating a more commercially-oriented activity based on these results.