Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Improving cellular cancer immunotherapy using chemotactic metabolite receptors

Project description

Recruiting chimeric antigen receptor T-cells into solid tumours

Immunotherapy has gone from promise to reality, now a key part of cancer treatment. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy is one type that has been very successful in fighting haematological cancers but much less so with solid tumours, largely due to ineffective migration into them. CAR T therapy uses the patient’s T cells, white blood cells that are part of the adaptive immune system and destroy harmful pathogens. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MetaboTract project aims to leverage receptors of chemotactic tumour metabolites – proteins secreted by tumours that stimulate the migration of white blood cells – to ‘recruit’ CAR Ts and natural killer cells into the tumour.

Objective

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) cellular immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment for patients with hematological cancers, but largely failed to provide benefits for patients with solid tumors. Ineffective CAR T migration into solid tumors caused by the lack of recruitment signals, including chemokines, is a key gap for current cellular immunotherapies. The very common accumulation of metabolites in tumors provides a yet unrecognized opportunity to guide immune cells into tumors. Therefore, my overall research objective for this project is to generate and use novel chemotactic metabolite receptors (MetaboTract) to enhance the efficacy of CAR T and natural killer (NK) in solid tumors. This innovative approach is expected to impact the therapeutic options for cancer patients with poorly infiltrated tumors and enhance the EU’s competitiveness in the rapidly expanding market of cellular immunotherapies. Applying the gained knowledge on CAR NK cells could additionally reduce treatment costs and accelerate deployment of cellular therapies to patients. During the MSCA fellowship, I will learn vital new skills including cell migration assays, in vivo models for immunotherapies, project management, exploitation, and leadership in the renowned laboratory of Prof. Sebastian Kobold at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) in Munich. The expertise of Prof. Kobold’s lab with chemokine receptor CAR T cells and in vivo models together with my complementary skills in cellular immunology, NK cells, imaging, and bioinformatics gives the project a high likelihood of success. The publication of the results, the gained knowledge and skills, and the demonstrated mobility will strengthen my scientific independence and help me achieve my career goal of becoming a research group leader in cellular cancer immunotherapy.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

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

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Net EU contribution
€ 189 687,36
Address
GESCHWISTER SCHOLL PLATZ 1
80539 Planegg
Germany
Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data