Project description
Oncolytic virus therapy for aggressive paediatric brain tumours
Oncolytic viruses are engineered to selectively infect and kill cancer cells while triggering an immune response against the tumour. They have emerged as a promising cancer treatment. The ERC-funded POPCORN project aims to develop a next-generation oncolytic virus therapy for diffuse midline glioma, one of the most malignant paediatric brain tumours with a median survival of less than 14 months. Researchers propose the engineering of oncolytic adenoviruses that deliver immunomodulatory single-domain antibodies directly to the tumour. By augmenting the immunostimulating function of oncolytic viruses, the study has the potential to provide a revolutionary treatment for difficult-to-treat childhood brain tumours.
Objective
Diffuse Midline Gliomas (DMGs) are the most aggressive pediatric brain tumors in desperate need of curative treatment. The median life expectancy of these children remains below 14 months after diagnosis, and nearly none survive beyond the second year. Similarly, for other high-risk pediatric brain tumors, there is hardly any option after recurrence, and long-term survivors are faced with life-long sequelae that impact their quality of life. In this scenario, there is an urgent need for innovative, efficacious, and safe therapies for these patients. Oncolytic viruses are promising anticancer biotherapeutic agents that offer a unique combination of safety profile, direct antineoplastic activity, and the induction of anti-tumor immune responses. Recently, a Phase I clinical trial showed that combining the oncolytic adenovirus Delta-24-RGD and radiotherapy is non-toxic and results in anti-tumor responses and prolonged median overall survival (17.8 months) in patients. However, results are still insufficient to be curative due to counteracting mechanisms intrinsic to the tumor microenvironment and also triggered by the virus that eventually exceeds its immunostimulatory properties. The proposed technology, termed “POPCORN”', is an oncolytic-based platform capable of expressing immunomodulatory single-domain antibodies directed to intrinsic targets in these tumors. We will develop the POPCORN Proof of Concept using a state-of-the-art experimental approach and validate its safety and efficacy in vitro and relevant in vivo DMG models. We will also perform IND-enabling studies and apply for PUMA/PRIME designation. Additionally, we will work on the IPR strategy, and a value proposition to develop and commercialize the POPCORN platform will be generated. We envision the POPCORN platform becoming a game changer in treating DMGs, providing a one-of-a-kind tool for eliminating these aggressive tumors that could be extensive to other difficult-to-treat pediatric brain tumors.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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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)
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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
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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept 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-POC
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31080 Pamplona
Spain
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