Enhancement of effectiveness and safety CAR-T cells and development of therapies against cancers not yet curable
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Financial Contribution:
10 million €
Provided by the Ministry of Health
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Duration:
2 years
Start: 27 November 2019
Abstract
A revolution in the immunotherapy field for treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (LLA) was the development of genetically modified T cells expressing chimeric antigenic receptors (CAR) against cancer targets.
However, despite the effectiveness of CAR-T cells in treating LLA, these cells have been associated with a safety profile not yet optimal; for example, severe toxicity has been reported in some patients who have received CAR-T cell therapy. Also, in the context of other malignant hematological diseases (such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, AML) and solid tumours, the approach effectiveness was limited.
As a result, the CAR-T research project, promoted by the Ministry of Health and developed under the aegis of the Alliance Against Cancer (ACC), aims to enhance CAR- T cell therapy efficacy by creating a synergistic network that combines the expertise of the different institutions. The project is arranged into six different Work Packages (WP), each with well-defined objectives.
Work Packages
Project phases.
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Work Package 1
Coordination of the different WPs, for which the project is articulated as well as the development of new production processes for CAR cells used by other WPs in a transverse way.
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Work Package 2
Identification of new targets selectively expressed on neoplastic cells and suitable for (or compatible with) clinical use of CAR-T cells.
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Work Package 3
Preclinical development of CAR-killer cells recognizing innovative targets in solid tumours and hematologic neoplasms other than B-cell cancers.
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Work Package 4
New strategies to improve activation, expansion, survival, tissue penetration, cytotoxicity and monitoring of the cells expressing CAR.
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Work Package 5
Strategies to improve the safety profile of CAR-T cells.
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Work Package 6
Definitions of legal aspects and intellectual property.
Project coordinator
Franco Locatelli
The scientific coordinator, Prof. Franco Locatelli, is the Director of Onco-Hematology and Cell and Gene Therapy Department of the Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, in Rome.
The project Team:
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Roma
Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital
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Roma
IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli
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Milano
European Institute for Oncology
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Torino
Candiolo Institute, FPO – IRCCS
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Forlì-Cesena
Irccs Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori Dino Amadori – IRST
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Milano
IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele
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Milano
IRCCS National Cancer Institute Foundation
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Roma
Regina Elena Institute (IRE)
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Napoli
National Cancer Institute Pascale Foundation
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Potenza
IRCCS CROB
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Bari
IRCSS Giovanni Paolo II
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Milano
IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Humanitas Cancer Center
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Padova
Istituto Oncologico Veneto – IRCCS
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Pordenone
Oncology Reference Center
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IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza
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Monza
Ospedale San Gerardo - Fondazione Tettamanti
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Milano
Molmed S.p.a
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Napoli
Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini CNR