Final Report Summary - LUNELY (ALK as a common target for the pathogenesis and therapy in lymphoma, lung carcinoma and neuroblastoma)
The project aimed at the characterization of three type of tumors that are driven by a particular oncogene named Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK): Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and neuroblastoma. During the project, we worked with human tumors and mouse models to discover several new molecular mechanisms by which ALK is transforming cells into malignant and aggressive tumors. The discovery of such mechanisms could serve not only to improve our understanding on how such tumors grow and become aggressive, but also to identify targets that could be utilized for future therapies. To this end, we tested several innovative therapeutic approaches that ranged from novel ALK inhibitors to ALK-specific immunotherapy. We were able to reveal the specific sensitivity of ALK-driven tumors to such inhibitors and we developed a tumor vaccine to enhance to reactivity of the immune system against ALK as a specific tumor antigen.
All these data have been validated in the pre-clinical settings of our models. Next important steps will be to move them into clinical trial for future therapeutic use.
All these data have been validated in the pre-clinical settings of our models. Next important steps will be to move them into clinical trial for future therapeutic use.