EU research project targets cancer protein in drug therapy tests
An EU research project is targeting a receptor molecule protein called CD40 commonly found on cancerous cells by developing a drug stimulating immune systems into attacking tumours.
An EU research project is targeting a receptor molecule protein called CD40 commonly found on cancerous cells by developing a drug stimulating immune systems into attacking tumours.
The Apotherapy project includes German pharmaceutical company Novosom, the University of Crete Medical School in Greece, and scientists from universities in Helsinki and Uppsala, Finland. They aim to create a drug binding with CD40 that stimulates dendritic cell production, in turn producing proteins activating immune systems to fight cancer.
Furthermore, said a European Commission briefing note, the team wants to use gene therapy 'to deliver high levels' of the CD40 binder to cancer cells.
'A combinatorial approach is needed for maximal clinical efficiency,' said co-ordinator Prof Aristides Eliopoulos, of the Crete school.