Final Report Summary - TARGETING_CANCER (Eradication of tumors by targeting dsRNA selectively to cancer cells and recruitment of the innate immune system)
With the support of ERC advanced grant we were able to develop a novel cancer therapy. This therapy uses overexpression of various receptors on cancer cells. Vectors targeting those receptors were created. The vectors are able to bind and enter cancer cells with the overexpressed receptor. Healthy cells with low level of the receptors remain unaffected. The vectors carry synthetic double stranded RNA (dsRNA), PolyIC. dsRNA is expressed in cells only during viral infection. During evolution numerous mechanisms were developed to protect the multicellular organism against viruses. These include: suicide of the infected cell by several pathways to block virus replication, recruitment and activation of immune system to the infected area. Introducing dsRNA into cancer cells induces all of the anti-viral mechanisms specifically in cancer tissue. Using cancer targeted dsRNA we were able to eliminate several types of tumors overexpressing EGFR, utilizing the EGFR homing vector armed with PolyIC. ERC advanced granted allowed us to generate vectors targeting other receptors overexpressed on deadly cancers. The protocol for vector synthesis was upgraded and simplified allowing us to start developing of this project towards clinical trials with the support of the Proof of Concept ERC grant, starting February 1, 2015.