Biologics targeting T-cells for immune modulation

Purpose and goal

Antigen-specific T cells are capable to precisely activate or modulate the immune system. The purpose of this project was to develop a technology platform enabling targeted personalized T-cell therapy. By designing and producing antigens using the platform, therapies targeting anti-tumour or autoimmune responses were addressed. A cancer immunotherapy is ready for clinical trial. In the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS), the project results will facilitate more accurate diagnosis and in a slightly longer perspective T-cell modulating treatment.

Expected results and effects

We have established a technology platform, which was used for development of cancer immunotherapy. Proteins with tumor-specific mutations (neoantigens) are identified and produced. T cells targeting the neoantigens are activated and can be used for specific individualized cancer immunotherapy. We have also used our technology platform to confirm four new autoantigens in multiple sclerosis (MS). These can be used as targets for diagnosis and immunomodulatory treatment of MS.

Planned approach and implementation

The technology platform for specific activation of T cells was used for preclinical evaluation of a T-cell based immunotherapy for cancer. The concept was evaluated with material from urinary bladder cancer patients, focusing on preparation of a clinical trial starting in 2021, where 20 patients with solid tumors will receive immunotherapy. For the MS application, four new MS autoantigens were confirmed. Immunogenicity and proinflammatory ability of the autoantigens was studied and their potential for extended and more accurate diagnostics investigated using patient material.