Project description
New tech for acidic tumour-targeted immunotherapy delivery
Cancer immunotherapy uses the immune system to target tumours more precisely than traditional treatments. However, it still faces challenges with certain tumours and side effects. The ERC-funded MATRACs project aims to explore an innovative approach using Marker-Agnostic TumoR-Anchoring Chimaera (MATRAC) technology to use the acidic microenvironment of solid tumours for targeted delivery of immune-modulating therapies. MATRACs are designed fusion proteins that connect a therapeutic agent with a pH-responsive mechanism, activating treatment in acidic tumour sites while minimising off-target effects. Early studies indicate that MATRACs enhance tumour localisation, demonstrate pH-selective binding, and stimulate immune responses. This research is expected to improve their efficacy and safety through evaluations of pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and toxicity.
Objective
Cancer immunotherapy represents a groundbreaking advancement in oncology, leveraging the immune system to combat malignancies with enhanced specificity and reduced systemic toxicity compared to traditional therapies. However, despite significant progress, current immunotherapies face limitations, particularly in targCancer immunotherapy represents a groundbreaking advancement in oncology, leveraging the immune system to combat malignancies with enhanced specificity and reduced systemic toxicity compared to traditional therapies. However, despite significant progress, current immunotherapies face limitations, particularly in targeting tumors without identifiable antigenic signatures and avoiding immune-related adverse events. In my ERC project I will explore an innovative approach utilizing Marker-Agnostic TumoR-Anchoring Chimera (MATRAC) technology, designed to harness the universal acidic microenvironment of solid tumors for targeted delivery of immune-modulating therapies. MATRACs are engineered recombinant fusion proteins that combine a therapeutic payload with a pH-responsive anchoring mechanism, ensuring selective activation in acidic tumor sites while minimizing off-target effects. Preliminary studies demonstrate MATRACs' enhanced tumor localization, pH-selective membrane binding, and potent immune-stimulating effects, laying the groundwork for their development as a versatile platform for innate immune-mediated cytotoxicity, cytokine therapy, and T-cell engagement in various cancer models. This research aims to optimize MATRACs' therapeutic efficacy and safety, with comprehensive preclinical evaluations including pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and toxicity assessments. By addressing critical gaps in current cancer immunotherapy, MATRAC technology holds the potential to expand treatment options for a broader range of patients, particularly those with antigenically challenging tumors, while improving the precision and effectiveness of immune-based therapies.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmacokinetics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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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)
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.
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
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.
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
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-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.
9000 Gent
Belgium
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.