A groundbreaking approach that targets the degradation of membrane proteins in cancer cells has received funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder program. The goal? To target previously “undruggable” cancer-related proteins by selectively degrading them and potentially offering a new way to overcome resistance to current cancer therapies.
Led by Madelon Maurice at the Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht and the Oncode Institute, the OutMARCH project brings together experts in AI-based protein design, cancer biology, and antibody development. The team will work on the development of so-called SureTACs – bispecific antibodies designed to specifically degrade surface proteins that drive cancer growth. This technology could offer a more effective and targeted treatment option compared to traditional therapies, which are often limited due to resistance and side effects.
The OutMARCH team aims to unlock the potential of MARCH E3 ligases, specialized enzymes that can target and degrade specific proteins on cancer cells. By bringing these enzymes in close proximity to a target protein, the team aims to develop a therapy that can selectively attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. A major technical challenge is to develop drugs that bind this class of enzymes. If successful, this approach may address some of the key challenges in oncology, including resistance to existing cancer treatments and the on-target off-tissue effects that can cause harm to healthy cells.
Video: Untreated cells
Video: Cells treated with SureTACs