Descripción del proyecto
La clave para desbloquear la respuesta inmunitaria contra el cáncer puede estar cerca
La inmunoterapia del cáncer aprovecha el sistema inmunológico para luchar contra el cáncer, ya sea estimulando el sistema inmunológico del paciente, o proporcionando componentes del sistema inmunológico creados por el hombre. De hecho, en 2013, la revista «Science» la nombró «gran avance del año». Sin embargo, a pesar de su potencial, las tasas de respuesta de los pacientes varían y a menudo solo una pequeña porción de ellos responde de manera favorable al tratamiento recibido. Una inmunoterapia del cáncer personalizada podría desbloquear este potencial, pero los métodos actuales son caros y llevan mucho tiempo. PeptiCHIP ha desarrollado un sistema para identificar y purificar de forma rápida y sencilla neoantígenos específicos del paciente (antígenos recientemente formados que el sistema inmunológico no ha reconocido previamente). La financiación europea contribuye a que los socios establezcan un modelo comercial que ponga esta tecnología a disposición de millones de pacientes en todo el mundo.
Objetivo
Immunotherapeutic strategies have emerged as powerful tools to treat many types of cancers. However, the majority of patients still fails to respond to immunotherapies as targetable tumour characteristics vary from patient to patient. Thus, a greater degree of personalisation is required to fine-tune immunotherapies to the specific vulnerabilities of each patient’s tumour. While therapies that target tumour-specific antigens (neoantigens) invoke a strong and specific anti-tumour immune response, we are currently unable to accurately identify patient-specific neoantigens. Current neoantigen identification and purification methods either require impractically large quantities of tumour material or are laborious, expensive, time-consuming (weeks or months) and inaccurate. As part of ERC project PEPTICRAD (2016-2021), Prof. Vincenzo Cerullo at the University of Helsinki has developed a novel microfluidic chip-based device (PeptiCHIP) which condenses the neoantigen purification steps into a single chip capable of accurately analysing minute quantities of human tumour tissue. PeptiCHIP permits cost-effective, rapid, sample-conserving, user-friendly, accurate and standardised tumour neoantigen identification, thereby unleashing the full potential of personalised anti-tumour immunotherapies. In this ERC PoC project, a team of technological and commercial experts will ascertain the technical and commercial viability of the innovative PeptiCHIP device. We will prepare the first steps toward the start-up of a spin-off by defining the most optimal business strategy and model. Furthermore, we will explore the technical potential of the PeptiCHIP and solidify our IP-position. We will develop a solid business strategy based on the technological aspects, the market needs and trends. Finally, during this project we will gain technical and commercial proof-of-concept, providing the necessary information for potential commercialisation routes.
Ámbito científico
Not validated
Not validated
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantInstitución de acogida
00014 HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Finlandia