Project description
Tackling undruggable cancer targets
Cells break down unwanted or damaged macromolecules in specialised organelles called lysosomes. Lysosomal targeting chimeras (LYTACs) are novel molecules that exploit this pathway to selectively degrade disease-causing proteins. This strategy also holds promise against cancer proteins that are inaccessible to conventional drugs. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Nano-LYTAC project combines LYTACs with nanotechnology to enhance their tumour specificity, bioavailability, and stability. Researchers aim to engineer nanoparticles that protect and selectively release LYTACs in the tumour microenvironment. This project will provide proof of concept for a LYTAC-mediated therapy against cancer.
Objective
"Cancer remains a tough challenge, largely because 80% of cancer-driving proteins are considered “undruggable” meaning impossible to target with conventional therapies. Nano-LYTAC project brings together experts in nanomedicine, pharmaceutical technology, and nanotoxicology to answer the burning question: Does complete cancer eradication still remain as an elusive dream? By combining 2 cutting-edge technologies: “Smart Nanotechnology” and “Targeted Protein Degraders (TPDs)”, this project fulfills the goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan by tackling these undruggable proteins. TPDs were created using Nobel Prize-winning bioorthogonal chemistry. Among these, LYTACs (Lysosomal Targeting Chimeras), with their ability to transport intracellular/extracellular cancer-driving protein for selective degradation in the lysosomes, abrogate the cancer pathology. However, despite their promise, LYTACs haven’t made it to clinical use yet, owing to challenges like limited molecule diversity, poor tumor penetration, low bioavailability, and metabolic instability. To transform LYTACs into clinically viable cancer therapies, and to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, this project will use novel nanotechnological approach to enable enhanced tumor penetration, selectivity, protection, and controlled released of the LYTACs in tumor microenvironment. Moreover, for the first time, I will design new LYTAC molecules specifically targeting folate receptors that are overexpressed on many types of cancers (e.g.: breast cancers, lung cancer, ovarian cancers). At CATRIN, under the guidance of Prof. Kateřina Poláková, an expert in nanomedicine and their subcellular trafficking, and nanotoxicology, I will develop ""Smart Nano-LYTACs"" with the preclinical proof of their potential. This multidisciplinary project will also enhance my skills in nanotherapeutics and cancer biology, helping me to work towards my long-term goal of establishing my own research group focused on advanced cancer 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
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
771 47 Olomouc
Czechia
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.