Objective
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. Nevertheless, CAR T cell therapy is clinically limited to hematological malignancies and hampered by its complex and costly ex vivo manufacturing procedure. To render this treatment cost-effective and available for diverse cancer types, in vivo CAR immune cell therapy strategies must be developed.
My group has established new apolipoprotein nanoparticle (aNP) platform technology for RNA delivery to immune cells. Leveraging lipoproteins’ natural delivery features, our technology combines tunable biodistribution features with a superb biocompatibility profile. Building on this concept, I propose developing aNPs containing messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding CARs to be delivered and expressed by specific immune cells.
Based on compelling preliminary data, I will pursue two Key Objectives:
KO1: Using advanced microfluidic production methods, we will establish a library of self-assembling aNPs – composed of natural phospho(lipids), ionizable cationic materials and apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), and containing mRNA – and screen barcoded aNPs’ ability to functionally deliver mRNA to immune cells in vivo. Machine learning analysis will provide lead formulations for in vivo CAR monocyte/macrophage (CAR M) proof-of-concept therapeutic studies in a solid tumor mouse model.
KO2: Using proprietary apoA1-nanobody fusion protein technology, we will screen targeted mRNA-aNPs’ ability to induce functional gene expression in specific immune cells in vivo. Lead aNP-mRNA formulations will be used for in vivo CAR T proof-of-concept therapeutic studies in a hematological mouse tumor model.
This Program’s successful completion will yield a unique, versatile nanomedicine approach that can be employed to induce in vivo CAR immune cell therapy for cancer treatment, with significant translational potential and pertinency for applications in non-malignant diseases such as autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular disease.
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 medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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-2025-COG
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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.
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands
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.