Project Title: Functional programming of tumor-associated macrophages with viral immunotherapy vectors in breast cancer model
Project No: lzp-2018/1-0208
Period: 1st August 2018 – 31 July 2021
Project costs: 300 000 EUR
Principle Investigator: Dr. biol. Anna Zajakina
Summary
The aim of this proposal is to develop a new strategy for targeted programming of TAMs using viral vectors, and to approve anti-cancer properties of the reprogrammed TAMs in advanced preclinical models. Alphaviral vectors, producing reprogramming cytokines, in combination with complementary effector molecules, will be applied for activation of TAM anti-cancer properties in a 3D environment using innovative heterotypic spheroid models of breast cancer. The conditions and supplementary factors for TAM programming will be identified and further assessed in immunocompetent mouse model and a patient derived xenograft model. The expected results will facilitate the development of a new immunotherapy platform based on targeted programming of the key components of tumour microenvironment with powerful virus gene delivery vectors.