ATTACK - Adoptive engineered T-cell Targeting to Activate Cancer Killing (Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health) (2005-11-01 - 2010-10-31) (»add to infobox)

Exploiting our knowledge of tumour immunology and genetic technology to treat cancer is now a realistic possibility. Already, adoptive transfer of tumour-specific T cells can successfully treat some malignancies. To extend this to other cancers and to simplify the process for clinical use, Engineered T cells (gene modified T cells artificially endowed with anti-cancer specificity) have been developed. Tumour targeting can be achieved with molecules based on T-cell receptors or on antibody fragments and the genetic constructs can also incorporate additional molecular machinery to enhance cytotoxicity, proliferation, survival, tumour homing or other features to increase anti-neoplastic activity. Partners in this IP have demonstrated key scientific aspects of these novel approaches and are now testing them in proof-of-concept clinical trials. The ATTACK project will optimise the technology and enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour evasion of immune control to develop improved T cell mediated immunotherapy. The partners include experts in engineered T cells and authorities in key aspects of basic immunology and tumour biology. Expertise in tumour models is critical for substantiation of the activity and for testing the different targeting technologies, the effects of cell selection / expansion methodology and the survival / homing of the adoptively transferred effector T cells as well as safety of the improved methods. The ATTACK partners have a long record of EU based collaboration and the synergies between them combined with a co-ordinated approach will facilitate greater scientific understanding and enable delivery of optimised Engineered T-cell therapy. The partners own key patents in this and related fields and both commercial and academic partners have a strong track record of clinical trial development based on scientific and technological progress. Co-ordination will be aided by an International Advisory Board of external experts.

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PARTICIPANTS (15/15)

RELATED THEMATIC AREAS (1/1)