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Project

Targeting residual, dormant cancer cells in myeloma: a new approach (FWOKN297)

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological disorder characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow. Despite significant therapeutic advances, patients inevitably relapse due to an incomplete eradication of residual cancer cells after an effective induction therapy. Recently, it has been shown that individual myeloma cells enter a dormant state and become resistant to chemotherapy that targets dividing cells. Genes upregulated in dormant myeloma cells (e.g. Axl) were compared with proliferating cells, however no functional assays were conducted. With this proposal we aim to determine how Axl controls myeloma cell dormancy. Our general objective is to specifically target the residual cancer cells by the development of radioactively labeled nanobodies. By the use of nanobodies we are able to deliver cytotoxic
radiation to cancer cells, with a minimal exposure to healthy tissue. Compared to conventional antibodies, camelid-derived nanobodies are extremely small, very stable and easy to manufacture.
In addition, nanobodies will be directed against the tumor-associated antigen Axl and CS1 to specifically target the residual cancer cells and eradicate minimal residual disease (MRD) in myeloma.
Date:1 Jan 2018 →  31 Dec 2018
Keywords:cancer
Disciplines:Other medical and health sciences not elsewhere classified