Objective ALK positive cancer such as Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), Non small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) and neuroblastoma are important cancers of children and adults, currently treated with standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with unpredicatable and poor results, in particular in the case of NSCLC and neuroblastoma. In August 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had an accelerated approval of a novel drug (called Crizotinib) to treat NSCLC that express abnormal ALK protein. Phase II and III clinical trials are ongoing to test the same drug in ALCL and neuroblastoma. However, it is now clear that the treatment with Crizotinib has a good initial efficacy and response, but the cancer inevitably relapses because of the occurrence of drug resistance. This resistance is due to selection of ALK point mutants that no longer bind the inhibitor. New drugs to tame the resistant cells will be probably developed in the future (as happened for Gleevec and second and third generation of BCR-ABL inhibitors), but it is expected that again resistance will emerge.As part of a research conducted under an ERC Starting Grat, we developed a new therapy for ALK positive ALCL, NSCLC and neuroblastoma based on the generation of a potent and specific anti-tumor response based on the development of an ALK-targeted immune response. This specific anti-ALK immune response is achieved by an anti-ALK vaccination in preclinical mouse models of ALCL and NSCLC. Now, in this Proof-of-Concept grant, we propose to take the next steps to move our invention toward a clinical application in human patients, by testing GLP formulations of the vaccine, its potential toxic effects and by searching the market for companies interested in its development and commercialization. Our goal is to understand and finalize the best strategy to move this experimental therapy to the market and generate a partnership with a pharma company. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancermedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccines Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-OA-2012-PoC - European Research Council ERC Proof of Concept Call for proposal ERC-2012-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CSA-SA(POC) - Supporting action (Proof of Concept) Host institution UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO EU contribution € 74 586,35 Address VIA GIUSEPPE VERDI 8 10124 Torino Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Piemonte Torino Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Antonietta Davello (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO Italy EU contribution € 74 586,35 Address VIA GIUSEPPE VERDI 8 10124 Torino See on map Region Nord-Ovest Piemonte Torino Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Antonietta Davello (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data META GROUP SRL Italy EU contribution € 75 352,61 Address VIALE UMBERTO TUPINI 116 00144 Roma See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Anna Amati (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data