Objective
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent adult leukemia, with ~32,000 new cases annually in Europe and a disease burden that has more than doubled over the past three decades. Despite significant advances with BTK and BCL-2 inhibitors, CLL remains incurable. Acquired resistance driven by the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) leads to inevitable relapse in most patients. This challenge is shared across B-cell neoplasias, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which together affect over 100,000 patients annually in Europe and are treated with overlapping immunotherapeutic strategies. Supramolecular attack particles (SMAPs) are stable, acellular glycoprotein nanostructures released by cytotoxic T and NK cells that encapsulate toxic molecules and induce cell death autonomously. Lacking a lipid membrane, SMAPs evade TME suppression, resist immune rejection, and have a long shelf life, properties that position them as promising off-the-shelf cytotoxic agents. However, as isolated nanoparticles, SMAPs lack tumour-targeting capacity, causing non-specific toxicity and preventing clinical translation. We have engineered the SMAP glycoprotein shell to confer tumour specificity. Preliminary data confirm that the chimeric SMAPs have full cytotoxic potency and the ability to selectively kill CLL cells. This ERC PoC project will translate these findings through three objectives: (1) optimising the engineered SMAPs for stable production and yield; (2) engineering a scalable cytotoxic cell line as a SMAP bioreactor; and (3) establishing a purification pipeline for preclinical testing. Success will lay the foundation for a cell free,off-the-shelf immunotherapy for CLL and the broader B-cell neoplasias.
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.
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology bioremediation bioreactors
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology leukemia
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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-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-2026-POC
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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.
53100 Siena
Italy
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.