Henry and Jane (MPIs) were awarded R01 grant “Drug-free macromolecular therapeutics” based on 1% ranking in the Innovations in Nanosystems and Nanotechnology Study Section. The project will be supported by the National Cancer Institute until 2031.
Inspired by the ability of complementary morpholino oligonucleotides (MORFs) to bring two biomolecules into close proximity, they designed Self-Assembling Immune Cell Tumor Engagers (SITE), a two-component system in which one component targets immune cells and the other targets multiple myeloma (MM) cell antigens. MORF hybridization brings tumor cells and immune cells into close proximity facilitating immune synapse formation resulting in activation of NK cells, T cells and macrophages against MM cells. Opportunity of multi-antigen targeting ensures a highly personalized treatment approach.
The Kopeček/Yang team will include co-investigators Drs. D. Sborov, J. Lohr, P. Shami, and B. Knoechel from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Shannuo Li and other members of the Kopeček/Yang lab.