CANCER VACCINE: Development of a cancer vaccine combining DNA and specific glycoprotein/glycopeptide formulation of a tumour antigen

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 99.0757

Key words (English)

Biotechnology; Environmental Protection; Innovation; Technology Transfer; Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Waste Management; Cancer vaccine; MUC1; DNA vaccination; glycopeptide/glycoprotein

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK3-1999-00217

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.3 The 'cell factory'

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London (UK)

Abstract (English)

This innovative project will develop diagnostic kits using synthetic peptide Ags to detect Abs to post-translational proteins also preceding disorder symptoms not yet identified (via MOG model protein). Characterisation of native glycosylation will contribute to discover influence in Ab recognition. Molecular modelling will de- sign the best synthetic Ags for T- and B-cell response in animal models and patients affected by autoimmune diseases of nervous system (i.e., MS). These Ags will be used in a kit detecting anti-MOG Abs. A vital contribution to social objectives and to improvement of quality of life comes from a correlation study of Ab titre vs MRI. Validation/ exploitation of a very cheap kit (compared to current costs) will be done in Clinical Units involving patients (final users). A strategic impact surrogate marker for the follow-up of disease activity will be developed only thanks to critical mass of balanced multidisciplinary competence and to dissemination of the results.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 99.0757