Objective "T-cell engineering strategies for Cancer therapy, either Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) or TCR transfer holds promise to revolutionize cancer treatment. There are, however, considerable barriers to be overcome to take this form of therapy to a format that can benefit all EU citizens with a wide range of common cancers. The aim of this consortium is to exploit advances in T-cell engineering to allow the full potential of CAR therapy to be unleashed.At present, CAR therapy requires a bespoke autologous therapeutic product for each patient. This greatly limits practicality, scalability and commercialisation. The development of a strategy for creation of universal engineered T-cells is the first key aim of this consortium. There is an increased appreciation of the immunological hostilities (CAR) T-cells face in the tumour microenvironment, and prevention of this local immune suppressive effect will likely be critical in permitting effective tumour control. The second main aim of this proposal is therefore to engineer CAR T-cells to be resistant to the hostile microenvironment. CAR T-cells can only be effective if they can access the tumour site. Exploiting the fact that neo-angiogenesis is a hallmark of neoplastic progression, the third aim of the consortium is to utilise endothelial cues of neo-angiogenesis to direct CAR T-cell migration and activity.The central technological theme of this consortium is the application of TALEN-mediated gene editing strategies alongside genetic modification with integrating vectors. Using this approach, we will implement a clinical study of “universal” CAR T-cells in refractory lymphoma. Further, this work will be complemented with highly focused development of T-cells which are resistant to hostile microenvironments and which can home to sites of neovascularization. The legacy this consortium wishes is commercialization of universal CAR therapy for a broad swathe of human cancers." Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology Programme(s) FP7-HEALTH - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Health Topic(s) HEALTH.2013.2.4.1-2 - Strengthening the cancer patient's immune system Call for proposal FP7-HEALTH-2013-INNOVATION-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON EU contribution € 2 646 887,00 Address GOWER STREET WC1E 6BT LONDON See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Martin Scott (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CELLECTICS THERAPEUTICS SAS Participation ended France EU contribution No data Address RUE DE LA CROIX DE JARRY 8 75013 PARIS See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Julianne Smith (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data CELLECTIS SA France EU contribution € 1 448 140,00 Address RUE JEAN ANTOINE DE BAIF 12 75013 PARIS See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Julianne Smith (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data PHILOGEN SPA Italy EU contribution € 625 900,00 Address PIAZZA LA LIZZA 7 53100 Siena See on map Region Centro (IT) Toscana Siena Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Laura Baldi (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data STICHTING HET NEDERLANDS KANKER INSTITUUT-ANTONI VAN LEEUWENHOEK ZIEKENHUIS Netherlands EU contribution € 640 980,00 Address PLESMANLAAN 121 1066 CX Amsterdam See on map Region West-Nederland Noord-Holland Groot-Amsterdam Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Henri Van Luenen (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data University of Zurich Switzerland EU contribution € 569 244,00 Address RAMISTRASSE 71 8006 ZURICH See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Burkhard Becher (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data