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HEDoctoral network2023–2027

GlyCanDrug · A training network on the design of precision therapeutics that target key glycan motifs implicated in cancer

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-12-01 → 2027-11-30
EU contribution
€2,696,458
Participants
21
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

A training network on the design of precision therapeutics that target key glycan motifs implicated in cancer

Glycoscience, the interdisciplinary study of the structure, function, and biology of carbohydrates (or glycans) and their roles throughout biology, has made significant strides in the past decade, putting in the spotlight the key role of glycan-motifs on cancer glycocalyx (essentially a "sugar coat" surrounding tumor cells) in tumor-related events. It clearly emerged that targeting specific cancer associated glycan-motifs is key for overcoming cancer heterogeneity, opening new avenues for effective anti-tumoral therapeutics. In this context, the MSCA-funded GlyCanDrug project is addressing this challenge, seeking to design precision therapeutics targeting specific cancer associated glycan-motifs, creating new opportunities for drug discovery. GlyCanDrug consortium is training 10 PhD students on innovative chemical strategies to suppress the role of cancer associated glycan-motifs in tumor progression. In particular, the PhD projects are focused on the development of small molecule inhibitors of target cancer-associated glycosyltransferases (GTs) and antibodies, produced with animal-free technologies, able to specifically recognize these glycan-motifs. The precise glycan-motif editing of cancer glycocalyx using selective inhibitors of cancer-associated glycosyltransferases (GTs) will pave the way for the development of novel precision therapeutics. By the design and synthesis of GTs inhibitors, the development of high-throughput methodologies and specific cell-based assays for their screening, and the design and production of cancer-specific antibodies, the GlyCanDrug consortium is paving the ground to foster the creation of next generation cancer therapeutics.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Glycoscience has gained such significant technological advances over the past decade, that it is now poised for giving an unprecedented contribution to high-demanding societal needs. GlyCanDrug is a glycoscience-oriented DN that aims, for the first time, to take a step ahead in the design of precision therapeutics targeting key glycan motifs implicated in cancer. These glycans are fingerprints of many cancers. Thus, their targeting has the striking potential to overcome cancer heterogeneity that limits the current targeted therapies providing new opportunities for the discovery of precision therapeutics.The credibility and high quality of GlyCanDrug are ensured by top-level glycoscientists from 9 academic institutions (8EU & 1US) and 6 SMEs which encompass complementary and intersectoral expertise, and unique state-of-the-art technological tools to train 10 doctoral candidates (DCs). GlyCanDrug focuses on the precise inhibition of the expression of cancer-associated glycans and the development of cutting-edge tools for their targeting. The unique combination of scientific excellence in interdisciplinary fields and industry know-how will cover the entire process from obtaining fundamental insights to the implementation of innovative solutions. GlyCanDrug aims at creating a critical mass of uniquely skilled graduates in glycan-based therapies. To this aim, we will equip DCs with a thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in the discovery of cancer precision therapeutics and the necessary transferable skills. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.Deciphering the glycome expands the frontiers of knowledge and discovery and enables addressing fundamental challenges in cancer. Therefore, GlyCanDrug DN will strengthen the European innovation capacity by bringing new glycoscience concepts in the development of cancer precision therapeutics to market and policy stakeholders.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE · FlorenceCoordinatorItaly
  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
  • CARBOHYDE ZARTKORUEN MUKODO RESZVENYTARSASAG · BudapestHungary
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
  • CIMAAS BV · MaastrichtNetherlands
  • CRELUX GMBH · MartinsriedGermany
  • Combotope Therapeutics ApS · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
  • DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
  • FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · MiamiUnited States
  • GLYCODISPLAY APS · KobehavnDenmark
  • GLYXERA GMBH · MagdeburgGermany
  • I3S - INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACAO E INOVACAO EM SAUDE DA UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO · PortoPortugal
  • INNOVATION ACTA SRL · SIENAItaly
  • KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNDenmark
  • PAIA BIOTECH GMBH · KolnGermany
  • TUSCAN ORGANISATION OF UNIVERSITIESAND RESEARCH 4 EUROPE · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA · SevillaSpain
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA · ZaragozaSpain
  • UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO · PortoPortugal
  • UNIVERSITE DE LILLE · LilleFrance
  • UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI · LjubljanaSlovenia

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union