Objective
Many tumor cells are characterized by the overexpression of certain antigens. Molecules that specifically recognize these structures are suitable as homing devices in tumor therapy. Conjugates of anticancer drugs with such a delivery vector targeting tumors would be a “magic bullet” according to the Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich. Three antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) have already been approved for anticancer therapy. However, ADC have e.g. limitations with respect to tumor penetration, high manufacturing costs, and require challenging conjugation chemistry. Peptide-drug conjugates can have a high drug loading, easily penetrate tissue, and can be easily prepared in a homogenous form with straightforward and well-defined conjugation chemistry.
The ETN MAGICBULLET will focus on chemistry-driven approaches toward conjugates between peptides (delivery vectors) that recognize tumors and anticancer drugs (payloads or warheads) in order to selectively fight cancer, a topic with a high demand of research activities. The ETN will develop and validate an array of new peptide-drug conjugates combining either known tumor-specific peptides or newly discovered tumor-homing peptides with potent cytotoxic drugs. The tumor-selective peptides are designed for cellular uptake mediated either by endocytosis or by cell-penetrating peptides. The consortium of the ETN MAGICBULLET covers tumor biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, spectroscopy, conformational analysis, and computational chemistry.
The training program focuses on multidisciplinary research to explore and validate molecular targets for innovative treatment or investigations on the molecular mechanisms in organ-specific metastatic growth processes. It aims at scientific multilingualism and relies e.g. on concerted learning, a combination of introductory training, hands-on learning “on the bench”, teaching by peers, and training in additional skills.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinemedicinal chemistry
- natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biology
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologycolorectal cancer
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinetoxicology
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training Networks
Coordinator
33615 Bielefeld
Germany
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Participants (8)
21100 Varese
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1053 Budapest
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00014 Helsingin Yliopisto
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20122 Milano
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50931 Koln
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1122 Budapest
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68526 Ladenburg
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
00182 Roma
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partners (5)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
13353 Berlin
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
91054 Erlangen
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
H-1032 Budapest
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
80686 Munchen
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
00040 Pomezia Rm
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.