Objective
Background: A large fraction of cancer patients die because their tumors initially respond to drugs but later they evolve tolerance. Thus, resistance to diverse drugs, along with the soaring costs of new treatments, are emerging as major societal issues of the 2020s. Herein, we explore one of the most distressful examples, tolerance of lung cancer to EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
Working hypothesis: In similarity to bacteria exposed to antibiotics, when cancer cells are exposed to TKIs they enlist SOS responses, which activate endogenous mutators. Hence, we will combine the relatively effective but mutagenic TKIs with drugs that disarm the mutators. This scheme will be applied on models of EGFR+ lung cancer, a disease that repeatedly evolves mutations and resistance, but eventually leaves millions of patients with no treatment choices.
Specific aims: Our initial studies identified one triad of the SOS system: a sensor of cell death - GAS6, a mediator - AXL, GAS6 receptor, and a mutator - low-fidelity DNA polymerases. Remarkably, blocking AXL using an antibody irreversibly prevented relapses when combined with EGFR inhibitors. Along with establishing this triad, we will employ transcriptomics, protetomics and metabolomics to resolve parallel mutators and sensors. Likewise, we will explore alternative ways to block resistance, for example by directly targeting DNA polymerases, MYC and purine metabolism. Aiming at strategies that minimize SOS enlisting, we will explore the premise of boosting immune destruction of cancer cells.
Significance: According to the current status quo, next-generation inhibitors are being applied when resistance emerges. However, this scheme does not cure, only buys time. ResistSOS offers an alternative that might eradicate resistance and cure disease models following treatments that are based on deep understanding and blocking the mutagenic SOS response.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7610001 Rehovot
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.