GPR-ICI | Exploration of targeting GPR56 and its cancer cell ligand as a novel immune checkpoint inhibition strategy

Summary
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy over the last decade. In essence, ICIs block the interaction of immunosuppressive receptors and their ligands, which attenuate T cell activity and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Blocking these inhibitory signals results in the release of immunosuppression and promotes anti-tumor T cell reactivity.

Unpublished data from our research group, emerging in collaboration with the biotech company InProTher suggests a novel immune checkpoint receptor-ligand pair consisting of an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and a viral protein.

With therapeutic targeting of GPCRs being our main focus, we - together with our collaboration partner InProTher - aim to investigate the blockade of the interaction between immune cells expressing the adhesion GPCR and cancer cells expressing the viral protein as novel ICI and cancer therapy strategy. The exploration of novel immune checkpoints and expanding the repertoire of cancer therapy drugs are paramount for overcoming therapeutic resistance and advancing cancer treatment.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101123379
Start date: 01-06-2023
End date: 30-11-2024
Total budget - Public funding: - 150 000,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy over the last decade. In essence, ICIs block the interaction of immunosuppressive receptors and their ligands, which attenuate T cell activity and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Blocking these inhibitory signals results in the release of immunosuppression and promotes anti-tumor T cell reactivity.

Unpublished data from our research group, emerging in collaboration with the biotech company InProTher suggests a novel immune checkpoint receptor-ligand pair consisting of an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and a viral protein.

With therapeutic targeting of GPCRs being our main focus, we - together with our collaboration partner InProTher - aim to investigate the blockade of the interaction between immune cells expressing the adhesion GPCR and cancer cells expressing the viral protein as novel ICI and cancer therapy strategy. The exploration of novel immune checkpoints and expanding the repertoire of cancer therapy drugs are paramount for overcoming therapeutic resistance and advancing cancer treatment.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2023-POC

Update Date

12-03-2024
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Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2023-POC ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2023-POC ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS