Programmable ARTificial immune systems to fight cancer

Project description

Cancer immunotherapy finds its niche

Activating an immune response to harmful pathogens requires the interaction of several types of immune cells. Specialised 'niches' found in lymph organs, inflammation sites and tumour microenvironments are the sites of this activity. ARTimmune is engineering very powerful synthetic immune niches to enhance cancer immunotherapy. Scientists will increase understanding of cellular interactions in lymph nodes, leading to the targeted design of powerful immunomodulating molecules. Then, like commandos with powerful weapons dropped into a target, the molecules will be injected into the lymph nodes along with a scaffold that encourages immune cell infiltration. Locally enhancing immune activity could prove more effective with far fewer side effects than conventional systemic immunotherapy, changing the prognoses for millions of cancer patients.

Fields of science

Funding Scheme

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

Host institution

STICHTING KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT

Address

Houtlaan 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

EU contribution

€ 2 500 000

Website

Contact the organisation

Beneficiaries (1)

STICHTING KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT

Netherlands