Advanced nanotechnology for improved cancer immunotherapy

June Ereño-Orbea

Asociación Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias-CIC bioGUNE, Bilbao, Spain

Recent advancements in cancer treatment have highlighted the importance of targeting specific sugars found on cancer cells. These sugars, known as glycans, act as warning signs for the immune system. However, current methods struggle to elicit a strong immune response to these markers. This project aims to address this issue by developing tiny particles that can deliver these markers more effectively to immune cells, enhancing the body's natural defences.

The research team has designed a technology to boost immune responses against glycans, with potential applications beyond cancer treatment, it also serves as a platform to discover new antibodies for treatments or diagnostics. Preliminary data has shown that the designed particles can effectively display multiple glycans on their surface and hence have the potential to enhance B-cell engagement and minimize immune evasion. These particles also integrate essential components to activate immune cells, demonstrating their potential as a novel platform for targeted immunotherapy.

Despite the generation of the particles, they also pretend to select adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity, and conduct in-depth ex vivo and in vivo studies to evaluate the immune response. Finally, they will assess the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of their technology for cancer treatment.

• Edurne Rujas, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain

• Carlos Minutti, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisboa, Portugal

• María M. Caffarel, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Guipúzcoa, Spain

• Omar Boutureira, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain

Advanced platform for targeting tumor-associated glycans

€998,670.00