Project description DEENESFRITPL Novel inhibitor for metastatic prostate and pancreatic cancer Metastases are the leading cause of death in most cancers including prostate and pancreatic cancer. Serine protease mesotrypsin promotes tumour invasion and metastasis in prostate and pancreatic cancer animal models, making it a potential therapeutic target. In the current EU-funded PROT-RESIST project, researchers designed a novel mesotrypsin inhibitor (APPI-3M) based on the human amyloid β-protein precursor Kunitz protease inhibitor domain scaffold. Previously, this inhibitor demonstrated high affinity and binding specificity, improved proteolytic resistance and high potency in preclinical models of prostate cancer invasion and metastasis. This stage of the project will focus on the final lead optimisation of APPI-3M, followed by preparations for clinical translation as an antimetastatic therapeutic adjuvant. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Distal site tumor metastasis is the leading cause of prostate- and pancreatic-cancer-related deaths; nevertheless, standard-of-care (SoC) treatments and other targeted therapies under development are based on their activity against the primary tumors rather than on their anti-metastatic activity. There is consequently an urgent medical need for new agents targeting the metastatic process. In prostate and pancreatic cancer models, the serine protease mesotrypsin promotes tumor invasion and metastasis, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In our ERC StG project, we used directed evolution to generate a novel prototype mesotrypsin inhibitor, designated APPI-3M, which is based on the human amyloid β-protein precursor Kunitz protease inhibitor domain (APPI) scaffold. This inhibitor has picomolar affinity, enhanced binding specificity and improved proteolytic resistance to mesotrypsin and exhibits high potency in cell-based and preclinical models of prostate cancer invasion and metastasis. In this PoC proposal, we propose to perform final lead optimization (particularly decreasing body clearance) of APPI-3M towards its commercialization for clinical translation as an antimetastatic therapeutic adjuvant, with the direct involvement in the planning stage of clinicians and other key opinion leaders in the field. The feedback of these experts is expected to confirm the need to address the problem of metastatic progression and to identify potential indications and therapeutic windows for the use of APPI-3M as a neoadjuvant in prostate and pancreatic cancers. This input will be translated into feasible preclinical studies to demonstrate the contribution of APPI-3M therapy to currently ongoing SoC protocols for prostate and pancreatic cancers. In parallel, we will carry out the in-depth market and IP analyses needed for the commercialization of the engineered protein for therapeutic applications. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyprostate cancernatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologypancreatic cancer Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2019-POC - ERC Proof of Concept Grant Call for proposal ERC-2019-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum Pilot Coordinator BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address . 84105 Beer sheva Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV Israel Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address . 84105 Beer sheva See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
