Descripción del proyecto
Avanzar en la inmunoterapia antineoplásica mediante receptores inmunitarios genomodificados
La inmunoterapia constituye un método prometedor para erradicar el cáncer y generar una inmunidad duradera. Sin embargo, las estrategias existentes requieren un mayor desarrollo para reducir los efectos secundarios y ser más eficaces contra más tipos de tumores. Partiendo de estas premisas, el equipo del proyecto EN-ACTI2NG, financiado por el programa de acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, pretende mejorar algunos receptores inmunitarios genomodificados en linfocitos T y comprender sus mecanismos de acción. El objetivo de esta investigación consiste en afrontar los retos que plantean la reactividad y eficacia limitadas de los linfocitos T en los tumores, así como su toxicidad específica e inespecífica. El proyecto formará a estudiantes de doctorado en el desarrollo de inmunoterapias antineoplásicas mediadas por linfocitos T, lo que fomentará la capacidad de comunicación entre la comunidad científica e investigadora, la industria y el público en general. Los resultados podrían traducirse en innovaciones científicas y terapéuticas.
Objetivo
The EN-ACTI2NG program (European Network on Anti-Cancer Immuno-Therapy Improvement by modification of CAR and TCR Interactions and Nanoscale Geometry) emanates from the recent clinical evidence that T cells expressing engineered tumor-specific immune receptors can eradicate certain tumors that do not respond to conventional treatment. To obtain T cells with reactivity to a wider array of tumors and to improve efficiency and on- and off-target toxicity are current challenges Therefore the EN-ACTI2NG program aims 1) to train PhD students with expertise in development of new and improved T cell-mediated cancer immuno-therapies; 2) to endow the PhD students with the ability to establish efficient communication between the academic and industrial research environments and between scientists and the general public; 3) to improve T cell mediated anti-cancer immuno-therapy by the identification and development of new cancer-specific immune receptors and enhancing their function by identifying and modifying their molecular mechanism of action. To reach these objectives we have designed individual research projects ranging from biophysical analysis of immune receptors, via molecular modification of their structure and testing their tumor killing capacity in cell-based and pre-clinical assays to product development. Secondments will assure that each PhD student will be exposed to these complementary approaches and that there will be synergic feedback between the projects, producing innovative results that could otherwise not be achieved. Extensive training in research-specific skills, career development and a continuous training in communication skills will allow the PhD students to become facilitators of the process of transformation of scientific innovation into products with social and economic value. As such, the EN-ACTI2NG program should contribute to overcoming the more general challenge of converting the European Community into an innovation-driven society.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinador
28006 Madrid
España