Validation of novel immunotherapeutic targets against fibrosis in inflammatory bowel diseases

Informazioni relative al progetto

FIBROTARGET

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101080523

DOI

10.3030/101080523

Data della firma CE 24 Aprile 2023

Data di avvio 1 Aprile 2023

Data di completamento 31 Marzo 2028

Finanziato da

• Health

Costo totale

€ 5 686 450,00

Contributo UE

€ 5 686 450,00

Coordinato da

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FIBROTARGET (Validation of novel immunotherapeutic targets against fibrosis in inflammatory bowel diseases)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-04-01 al 2024-09-30

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

The FIBROTARGET project aims to transform the therapeutic landscape for intestinal fibrosis in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease (CD). Intestinal fibrosis, often leading to strictures, significantly impacts patients' quality of life and remains an unmet clinical need due to the lack of effective anti-fibrotic therapies. FIBROTARGET addresses this challenge through a multidisciplinary approach to understand fibrosis mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop innovative diagnostic tools and treatments.

Key objectives include:

Identifying and validating fibrosis-associated molecular signatures using advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics.

Preclinical evaluation of inhibitors targeting pathways like C3, Tyk2-STAT3, and NLRP3 inflammasomes in patient-derived tissues and experimental models.

Development of non-invasive imaging tools such as magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) integrated with artificial intelligence for fibrosis diagnosis and monitoring.

Designing and conducting the first-in-human trials of novel immunotherapeutics for fibrosis in CD.

Ensuring broad dissemination, patient engagement, and a sustainability plan for real-world impact.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

In its first reporting period, FIBROTARGET has:

Identified pathogenic fibroblast subsets and validated potential fibrosis biomarkers in IBD samples.

Demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of key inhibitors in preclinical models, showing promise for translation into clinical settings.

Advanced imaging techniques (MRE and MSOT) with AI integration for fibrosis detection, streamlining patient diagnostics and clinical trial design.

Engaged with regulatory bodies, industry partners, and patient organizations, ensuring alignment of project outputs with clinical and societal needs.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

FIBROTARGET has:

Uncovered the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in fibroblast activation and collagen production, offering new therapeutic avenues.

Validated fibrosis-associated markers through high-resolution spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, paving the way for precision diagnostics.

Integrated imaging and AI technologies for reproducible, non-invasive assessment of fibrosis, setting a benchmark for future diagnostics.

Explored the potential of complement inhibitors like Cp40 to disrupt profibrotic pathways in human and experimental models.