Objective
Recent studies have demonstrated that mRNA-based vaccines targeting neoantigens, in combination with immune checkpoint blockade, can elicit robust anti-tumour responses across multiple cancer types. These advances have propelled the cancer vaccine market towards a projected growth from $7 billion to $19 billion by 2033. Despite this promise, critical technological hurdles remain. Current antigen selection strategies rely heavily on computationally predicted neoantigens, yet the majority fail to elicit detectable immune responses. Paradoxically, clinical evidence confirms that increasing the number of immunogenic tumour antigens per vaccine correlates with improved patient benefit. This underscores the urgent need for antigen repertoires that extend beyond mutation-derived neoantigens. Moreover, because neoantigens are patient-specific, current vaccines must be personalized, introducing substantial manufacturing costs and logistical complexity. TWISTAR addresses these limitations by advancing a next-generation vaccination strategy that incorporates not only somatic mutations but also functionally validated, shared tumour antigens derived from the ‘dark’ genome, which represents a rich and largely untapped source of immunogenic targets. By analysing tumour biopsies from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, we have identified 10 such ‘dark’ antigens. In a co-development partnership with myNEO Therapeutics, we will now evaluate the immunogenicity of these shared antigens and assess how many TNBC patients are capable of mounting a T-cell response against them. If successful, these validated dark antigens will translate into an off-the-shelf vaccine that complements immune checkpoint blockade and reduces the recurrence risk of triple-negative breast cancer.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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.