Project description
Next-generation protein-drug conjugates for cancer therapy
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent the fast-growing class of cancer therapeutics. They consist of a highly potent cytotoxic drug linked to an antibody that is specifically targeting certain tumour markers. By combining the cytotoxicity of the drug and the targeting properties of the antibody, ADCs selectively kill cancer cells. The EU-funded TACT project is an innovative, international, multidisciplinary training and research programme designed to train 11 early-stage researchers in the field of anti-cancer therapeutics, creating a new generation of experts. Specifically, the TACT research programme will focus on key principles of the development of a new and more potent generation of protein-drug conjugates employing site-specific bioconjugation methods, environment-specific cleavable linkers, more efficient protein-based targeting systems and new analytical tools for protein characterisation.
Objective
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are fast growing classes of oncology therapeutics. They consist in a highly potent
cytotoxic drug connected via a linker to an antibody that is specifically targeting certain tumor markers. By combining the
cytotoxicity of the drug and the targeting properties of the antibody, ADCs kill cancer cells whilst leaving the healthy cells
unaffected, a marked improvement compared to classical chemotherapies. However, limitations still exist which could fuel
the development of new generations of ADCs with improved therapeutical properties. Targeted Anti-Cancer Therapies
(TACT) is an innovative, international, multidisciplinary training and research programme which thus aims to train 11 Early-
Stage Researchers (ESRs) on the development of state-of-the-art anti-cancer therapeutics and equip them with transferable,
future career-enhancing skills to create the next generation of experts in Europe. More specifically, TACT’s research
programme will focus on key priorities for the conception of new and more potent generations of Protein-Drug Conjugates
(PDCs): site-specific bioconjugation methods, more potent payloads, environment-specific cleavable linkers, more efficient
protein-based targeting systems and new analytical tools for acute characterization. This will be achieved by exposing the
ESRs to the leading intersectoral research scientists and laboratories in Europe who are active in this field. In doing so,
TACT combines state-of-the-art research with excellent training in PDCs, one of the hot topics in cancer and targeted
therapies.
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Coordinator
67081 Strasbourg
France