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Innovative ligands for nuclear receptors to eradicate cancer relapse.

Project description

Innovative anti-cancer compounds’ effects on cancers

The ‘eRaDicate’ international programme will empower 10 young scientists in cancer research, with a focus on therapies for stem cell-driven relapse and metastasis. Key targets include nuclear receptors such as the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the eRaDicate project will evaluate compounds that target RAR and VDR for their anti-cancer effects. The project will develop a dual-action hybrid compound that acts as an antagonist of RARγ and an agonist of VDR, along with pre-formulation strategies. This research will investigate the impact of these compounds on stemness and metastasis in leukaemia, breast, prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancers, and assess the effectiveness of the pan-RAR antagonist in combating chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Objective

The aim of the “eRaDicate” international, multidisciplinary, and intersectoral cancer drug research and development programme is to empower 10 young scientists to become specialists in cancer research and drug development, while developing new therapies against cancer stem cell-driven relapse and metastasis. Nuclear receptors, such as retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR), play key roles in many hallmarks of cancer and constitute effective targets for modern cancer therapy.
To address the EU priority “Mission Cancer”, we will 1) test the anti-cancer activity of RAR and VDR targeting compounds; 2) design and synthesise a highly innovative dual action hybrid compound acting simultaneously as RARγ antagonist and VDR agonist; 3) devise pre-formulation strategies for our compounds; 4) and develop a novel, deep learning-based cancer analysis and diagnostics method.
We will test how our RAR and VDR-targeting compounds affect stemness and metastatic potential in leukaemia, breast, prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancer. In parallel, we will assess if the pan-RAR antagonist is effective against chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. For the development of the RAR and VDR targeting compounds into administrable medicines, ready for eventual commercialisation, we will develop pre-formulation strategies. We will generate a novel and highly innovative label-free image analysis method based on histoplasmonic cytometry. The project will have lasting scientific, economic, and societal impact.
In order to be prepared for a wide spectrum of career opportunities, we will train the doctoral candidates (DCs) not only to perform original and independent research on an internationally competitive level, but also endow them with creative, critical and entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with persistence in following their objectives.
Our consortium consists of 8 academic and 1 industrial beneficiary, as well as 12 associated partners to provide training and secondments.

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Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01

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Coordinator

MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
Net EU contribution
€ 540 662,40
Address
SPITALGASSE 23
1090 Wien
Austria
Region
Ostösterreich Wien Wien
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data

Participants (7)

Partners (15)