Objective The objective of this Apotherapy Specific Targeted Research Project proposal is to establish a European collective of international scientific excellence to combat cancer by translating basic research on key apoptotic pathways into tools which will improve the treatment and quality of life of cancer sufferers. The project will specifically aim to exploit the widespread expression of CD40, a TNF receptor family member, in human tumours and develop CD40 ligand-based modalities with high therapeutic potential and minimal side-effects. These translational studies are based on accumulating in vitro evidence suggesting that the activation of CD40 results in reduced proliferation and apoptosis induction selectively in cancer cells.The proposed STREP will develop vehicles for the efficient delivery of CD40L, such as CD40L-encapsulated liposome formulations and recombinant adenoviruses expressing CD40L and examine their in vitro and in vivo effects on tumour cell growth and metastasis. Apoptosis induced by CD40 engagement is dramatically augmented in the presence of inhibitors of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) pathway which is frequently found activated in human tumours. The proposed STREP will expand on the development of inositol polyphosphates, novel PI3 kinase antagonists, and evaluate their in vitro and in vivo capacity to kill tumour cells and to amplify the CD40L-mediated effects on carcinoma cell growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. These studies will provide essential information for progressing the potential therapeutic strategy towards future clinical trials for the benefit of cancer sufferers. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybladder cancermedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistance Programme(s) FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) LSH-2005-2.2.0-2 - Modulation of apoptosis in cancer prevention and therapy Call for proposal FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-6 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF CRETE EU contribution No data Address KNOSSOU Ave.-UNIVERSITY CAMPUS 2208 HERAKLION Greece See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Gower Street LONDON See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data ISTITUTO DI RICERCHE FARMACOLOGICHE "MARIO NEGRI" Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Eritrea 62 MILANO See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO Finland EU contribution No data Address Yliopistonkatu 4 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI, HELSINKI See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO V OLOMOUCI Czechia EU contribution No data Address Krizkovskeho 8 OLOMOUC See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UPPSALA UNIVERSITY Sweden EU contribution No data Address Sankt Olofsgatan 10B 256 UPPSALA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data NOVOSOM AG Germany EU contribution No data Address Weinbergweg 22 HALLE See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data QUEEN MARY & WESTFIELD COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address MILE END ROAD LONDON See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data