Objective
mRNA vaccines have garnered significant attention for their transformative potential in cancer immunotherapy. Despite their promise in eliciting immune responses against tumor antigens, mRNA vaccines still face several challenges, primarily related to limitations of lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based formulations and the immunosuppressive role of the tumor microenvironment. Another immunotherapy modality, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which block inhibitory signals that suppress T cell activation, can enhance the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines. However, ICIs have their own limitations, including low response rates and significant immune-related adverse events. BactoNanoVax aims to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by combining these two cutting-edge immunotherapy modalities co-delivered through outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from engineered bacteria. I hypothesize that by leveraging the unique capabilities of OMVs over LNPs as drug delivery systems (i.e. superior stability, immunogenicity, cost of production), I will enhance the efficacy of mRNA vaccines and ICIs, drastically overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and leading to enhanced therapeutic outcomes in immunotherapy-resistant tumors. BactoNanoVax will also integrate a tumor microenvironment reprogramming strategy, repurposing the clinically approved anti-histamine ketotifen to optimize OMVs intratumoral delivery and immune cell infiltration. This highly interdisciplinary research combines expertise in tumor biology, synthetic biology, microbiology, immunology and drug delivery, and it represents a pioneering approach in cancer immunotherapy. The development of OMV-based immunotherapy will revolutionize the field of precision oncology by providing a novel, highly effective therapeutic product that reduces the risk of adverse events, eliminates the need for additional immune adjuvants, and is cost-effective in production and transportation.
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 synthetic biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- 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-2026-STG
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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.
1678 Nicosia
Cyprus
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.