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Project
Nanobody-based AXL targeting and combination treatment for acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma (FWOAL1045)
In blood cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and
multiple myeloma (MM), a protein, termed AXL, has been identified
as a regulator of cancer cell growth and/or resistance to medication.
For the majority of elderly AML and MM patients, cancer comes back
after several months to years. Current available drugs that target the
AXL protein are unspecific and cause severe adverse effects in
cancer patients. With this project, we aim to develop a novel method
to visualize and specifically target AXL-positive cancer cells in
patients. Therefore, we will use nanobodies (Nbs), a type of
antibodies derived from camels, which are very small, easy to
produce and are ideal building blocks to generate new compounds.
The project has 3 specific aims: (1) Optimize our in-house made
AXL-targeting Nbs to non-invasively image AXL-positive tumor cells.
(2) Develop and optimize Nbs to specifically block the function of the
AXL protein. (3) Combine anti-AXL Nbs with low-dose
chemotherapeutics and immunotherapy in AML and MM to overcome
drug resistance and prevent relapse of patients. If successfull, the
proposed project will lead to the development of a new, personalized
treatment for AML and MM patients.
multiple myeloma (MM), a protein, termed AXL, has been identified
as a regulator of cancer cell growth and/or resistance to medication.
For the majority of elderly AML and MM patients, cancer comes back
after several months to years. Current available drugs that target the
AXL protein are unspecific and cause severe adverse effects in
cancer patients. With this project, we aim to develop a novel method
to visualize and specifically target AXL-positive cancer cells in
patients. Therefore, we will use nanobodies (Nbs), a type of
antibodies derived from camels, which are very small, easy to
produce and are ideal building blocks to generate new compounds.
The project has 3 specific aims: (1) Optimize our in-house made
AXL-targeting Nbs to non-invasively image AXL-positive tumor cells.
(2) Develop and optimize Nbs to specifically block the function of the
AXL protein. (3) Combine anti-AXL Nbs with low-dose
chemotherapeutics and immunotherapy in AML and MM to overcome
drug resistance and prevent relapse of patients. If successfull, the
proposed project will lead to the development of a new, personalized
treatment for AML and MM patients.
Date:1 Jan 2022 → Today
Keywords:Nanobodies, Therapy, Hematology
Disciplines:Applied immunology, Cancer biology, Cancer therapy, Hematology, Nuclear imaging