Objectif
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent a new form of protein-based drug having demonstrated a significant impact on the treatment of several types of cancers.
Their specificity towards cell surface receptors makes them able to target and destroy tumour cells. However, a lot of progress is still necessary to understand the mechanism of binding and activity of antibodies in order to improve their targeting capabilities and their efficiency.
To reach these objectives, the BMC project proposes to:
- Develop a recombinant bispecific mAb with tetrameric binding sites, directed against two different antigens expressed on the same target tumour cell;
- Develop new bispecific or bifunctional molecules with the property of crosslinking two different receptors on the surface of the cell;
- Modify the carbohydrate moiety of bispecific antibodies and the tumour targeting of the complement regulator molecule, properdin, to trigger the activation of the complement enzymatic cascade at the tumour site.
The recombinant molecules are directed against a selected target antigen for mAb therapy, CDS, as well as a B-cell marker to be selected, in order to treat a specific type of leukaemia, the B-CLL. However, the described innovative cancer immunotherapy strategy will also be extended to the treatment of many other types of cancers especially all carcinomas.
The partnership gathers 9 partners recovering the needs of the BMC project:
- 7 RTDs specialized in genetic engineering (CNRS), innovative molecules design (UNIL), antibodies vectorisation with nanoparticles (HUJI), CDC activity improvement and cell lines and animal models development (GIENSAT), mechanisms of therapeutic antibodies on patients' cells (OORRBG), toxicology studies and standardization (ITEM);
- 2 biotechnology SMEs specialized in therapeutic antibodies development (MAT) and antibodies in-vitro production (MABGENE);
- A company dedicated to the project management until month 50: ALMA.
Champ scientifique
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineering
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydrates
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyimmunotherapy
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyleukemia
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinetoxicology
Mots‑clés
Appel à propositions
FP6-2004-LIFESCIHEALTH-5
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