On Tuesday, June 9th, at 12:00 p.m. in the "Emmanuele F.M. Emanuele" Aula Magna at Biogem in Ariano Irpino (AV), with the possibility to follow the event online at https://meet.google.com/vtj-qhck-kie, Professor Claudio Pisano, Head of Pharmacological and Preclinical Development Laboratory at Biogem, will hold a seminar on a new research project, for which he is the principal investigator.
The ENACT project, "Exploring Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Enhanced Cancer Therapeutics," is funded by the Ministry of University and Research as part of the Call for Project Proposals under the Italian Fund for Applied Sciences contained in Decree No. 1075 of July 18, 2024 (FISA-2024). Biogem is the institution where the project activities will be developed, in collaboration with the IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori" IRST Srl and the pharmaceutical company Special Products Line of Anagni (FR).
ENACT aims to develop innovative therapies against some of the most difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, particularly those that no longer respond to currently available drugs.
At the heart of the study are ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates), a new class of oncology drugs that utilize monoclonal antibodies directed against specific tumor targets, which are "loaded" with a potent cytotoxic drug. The antibody, upon binding to its receptor, is internalized within tumor cells, releasing the cytotoxic drug that induces the death of the tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. These therapies function like "smart missiles": the antibodies selectively recognize tumor cells and directly transport substances capable of destroying them.
Despite the promising results achieved in recent years, many patients develop resistance to treatments over time. For this reason, the project aims to create next-generation ADCs capable of targeting tumors that are currently resistant or without any effective treatment.
Researchers will develop new conjugates based on Pertuzumab, an antibody used against HER2-positive tumors, combining it with innovative molecules derived from camptothecin, a substance with strong antitumor activity. Furthermore, the project includes the generation of new antibodies to be conjugated to cytotoxics and directed against tumors such as pleural mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), cholangiocarcinoma, and triple-negative breast cancer. Therapies with these new drugs will be personalized, as patients will be selected based on the presence of the ADC target in their tumor.
From a scientific and technological perspective, the work will include the design of recombinant antibodies, the synthesis of new antibody-drug linkers, and the development of advanced conjugation technologies. These approaches will be integrated with next-generation anticancer compounds to increase the efficacy of treatments and improve their safety.
The ultimate goal is to offer new therapeutic options to cancer patients who currently have limited or ineffective options, paving the way for increasingly targeted, effective, and personalized treatments.
The ENACT project is fully aligned with one of Biogem's core missions: to develop cancer research in an increasingly translational direction, in order to improve currently available treatments and pave the way for new, more effective treatments.
