NO-CANCER-NET · Advanced Engineering of Nitric Oxide Based Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Training Network

Advanced Engineering of Nitric Oxide Based Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Training Network

NO-CANCER-NET (Advanced Engineering of Nitric Oxide Based Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Training Network) aims to set a landmark in the present European Higher Education Area. Our training initiative uses molecular epidemiological informed approaches for the identification of molecular targets, development of companion diagnostics and a panel of novel therapeutic approaches, which addresses an unmet medical need for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The NO-CANCER-NET Doctoral Network (DN) addresses two fundamental gaps in European training: 1) a network where a core of Doctoral Candidates (DCs) can develop and share a basic understanding of molecular target discovery, models of tumour biology assessment, drug synthesis and delivery, developing diagnostics, handling complex spatial imaging and omics expression data profiles; and 2) solid interdisciplinary training in experimental, computational and clinical research. NO-CANCER-NET will equip our DCs with the required knowledge and training to understand the complexities of bench to bedside cancer research, the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and an understanding of the fundamentals of related disciplines. This will be of great importance in preparing DCs to work in academia, industry and clinical environments. To achieve this training, the individual DC projects and work packages (WPs) will be integrated and have interdependency. Beneficiaries and associated partners are already collaborating in an existing International Society for Nitric Oxide and Cancer (www.isnoc.org), covering academic, clinical, and industrial sectors from 7 countries. The overall aim of the proposed research is to explore the potential of therapeutics targeting NO and NO-regulated pathways in TNBC. We define 3 WPs which will address 4 main research objectives (RO). WP1 – Biomarker discovery for effective patient stratification of inflammation-related TNBC. RO1 - To identify the key biomarkers and signalling pathways indicative of NO driven TNBC. There is currently no reliable way to predict treatment response or stratify TNBC patients for treatment. WP1 will facilitate the development of biomarkers allowing an optimal patient stratification and identification of the appropriate NO related treatment choice. WP2 - NO-based drug development and delivery RO2 - To develop a panel of novel therapeutics that target NO and NO regulated pathways for the improved treatment of TNBC. RO3 - To generate appropriate drug delivery systems for optimal stable delivery of NO related therapeutics and for appropriate combination with existing treatments. There is a lack of an effective, safe and targeted approach to deliver appropriate amounts of NO alone or in combination with other therapeutic approaches at target tissues. In WP2 this technical and medical gap will be addressed to reach the above objectives. Additionally, targeted therapies do not yet exist for TNBC patients. WP2 will exploit associations between NOS signalling and TNBC patient survival to develop and deliver novel NO-targeted therapies. WP3 - 3D tumour models to investigate tumour biology and drug response RO4 - To develop 3D models of TNBC that reflect different NO states, to allow for improved understanding of NO biology and testing of novel therapeutics. The effects of NO in TNBC disease processes are complex, dependent on NO concentration and tumour genotype. WP3 will develop 3D models to enhance our understanding of the complexities of NO biology in TNBC.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union