Within OncoProTools, 10 Doctoral Candidates perform cutting-edge research. They collaborate in 3, cross-talking Work-Packages (WPs) that each focus on 1 of the project goals.
1) WP1 develops safer and more effective CAR T cell therapy. OncoProTools researchers have already developed protease-targeting molecules that allow CAR T cells to more selectively release their deadly cargo inside tumors, while not exposing healthy tissue. The new molecules are now being thoroughly studied in in vitro models. Among others, WP1 researchers use an innovative, nanotechnology-based approach developed in WP3, to study the selective cancer-killing efficacy of their CAR T cells. In addition, WP1 researchers are exploring the possibility to combine their optimized CAR T cell approaches with novel forms of vectorized endoradiotherapy and chemotherapy, in order to obtain maximally selective therapies with unprecedented efficacy.
2) In WP2, our researchers develop new vector moieties for currently underexplored tumor proteases. Several promising new series of molecules have already been delivered. After a thorough in vitro characterization, the first new molecules are now being investigated on an advanced preclinical level: among others, their tumor targeting potential is determined. This is done by attaching a radioactive label to the molecules. The label allows tracking molecules inside living organisms suffering from cancer, relying on Positron Emission Tomography (PET imaging). Of note, several of these molecules can be used to follow up patients treated with cellular immunotherapy, making further co-development with WP1 and WP3 technologies realistic.
3) In WP3, our researchers gather fundamental insights into the biology of tumor proteases: they try to identify factors that determine which proteases are present in tumors, and in which amounts. This knowledge will allow identifying the most suited vector technologies for individual patients and for different stages of disease. Among others, WP3 research has already allowed a new radiopharmaceutical from one of our industrial project partners, to enter systematic clinical investigation in patients with hard-to-treat cancers. Moreover, WP3 researchers have found a way for applying their nanotechnology-based tumor characterization device, to the study of the optimized CAR T cells, in collaboration with WP1 researchers.
