iGEM Aachen 2024 Projekt: OncoBiotica
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Wir sind iGEM Aachen e.V. unser Ziel ist die Vernetzung von Studierenden und der Industrie. Dafür unterstützen wir die jährlichen Forschungsprojekte des iGEM Teams Aachens. Das diesjährige Projekt heißt: OncoBiotica!
Hier die Projektbeschreibung auf Englisch:
OncoBiotica aims to revolutionize the way we approach cancer treatment by offering a novel target for future therapies: the microbiota within tumors. Unlike traditional targeted therapies that focus on molecular biomarkers expressed by the cancer cells, our approach targets the specific microorganisms in the tumor microenvironment. This innovative strategy seeks to expand the range of patients who can benefit from targeted treatment while maintaining the localized effectiveness of current precision oncology.
Similar to established prodrug therapies, our therapy uses a two-phase mechanism of action [1]. First, a fusion protein is introduced into the body, which binds to a tumor-associated microbe and accumulates in the tumor tissue. In the second phase, a prodrug is administered systemically. This prodrug is then converted into a chemotherapeutic agent by the fusion protein in the tumor tissue, where it becomes locally effective. In the scope of the iGEM competition, we are devoting our resources to colorectal cancer (CRC) and the associated Fusobacterium nucleatum as our model system. CRC is the third most diagnosed and second most deadly cancer [2]. Global incidence and mortality are expected to double in the next decade due to the aging population and the increased prevalence of significant lifestyle risk factors. The accumulation of F. nucleatum in CRC is well-documented in a substantial number of patients, making it an ideal target to validate our mechanism and concept [3, 4].
1. Denny, W.A., Prodrug strategies in cancer therapy. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001. 36(7): p. 577-595. 2. Hossain, M.S., et al., Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies. Cancers (Basel), 2022. 14(7). 3. Alon-Maimon, T., O. Mandelboim, and G. Bachrach, Fusobacterium nucleatum and cancer. Periodontol 2000, 2022. 89(1): p. 166-180. 4. Brennan, C.A. and W.S. Garrett, Fusobacterium nucleatum - symbiont, opportunist and oncobacterium. Nat Rev Microbiol, 2019. 17(3): p. 156-166.
Hier die Projektbeschreibung auf Englisch:
OncoBiotica aims to revolutionize the way we approach cancer treatment by offering a novel target for future therapies: the microbiota within tumors. Unlike traditional targeted therapies that focus on molecular biomarkers expressed by the cancer cells, our approach targets the specific microorganisms in the tumor microenvironment. This innovative strategy seeks to expand the range of patients who can benefit from targeted treatment while maintaining the localized effectiveness of current precision oncology.
Similar to established prodrug therapies, our therapy uses a two-phase mechanism of action [1]. First, a fusion protein is introduced into the body, which binds to a tumor-associated microbe and accumulates in the tumor tissue. In the second phase, a prodrug is administered systemically. This prodrug is then converted into a chemotherapeutic agent by the fusion protein in the tumor tissue, where it becomes locally effective. In the scope of the iGEM competition, we are devoting our resources to colorectal cancer (CRC) and the associated Fusobacterium nucleatum as our model system. CRC is the third most diagnosed and second most deadly cancer [2]. Global incidence and mortality are expected to double in the next decade due to the aging population and the increased prevalence of significant lifestyle risk factors. The accumulation of F. nucleatum in CRC is well-documented in a substantial number of patients, making it an ideal target to validate our mechanism and concept [3, 4].
1. Denny, W.A., Prodrug strategies in cancer therapy. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001. 36(7): p. 577-595. 2. Hossain, M.S., et al., Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies. Cancers (Basel), 2022. 14(7). 3. Alon-Maimon, T., O. Mandelboim, and G. Bachrach, Fusobacterium nucleatum and cancer. Periodontol 2000, 2022. 89(1): p. 166-180. 4. Brennan, C.A. and W.S. Garrett, Fusobacterium nucleatum - symbiont, opportunist and oncobacterium. Nat Rev Microbiol, 2019. 17(3): p. 156-166.
Organizer
Frederik Kaußmann
Organizer
Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen