Innovative tools for the early detection of cancer and decision-making on personalised treatment
Key words: biomarkers, solution, cancer
Consortium
Companies:
OncoMethylome Sciences (Coordinator) GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals •
University laboratories:
ULg (Gynaecology), ULg (Cytopathology and Anatomy) • ULg (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Department of Pathology)
General project objective
The aim of this project is to develop in vitro tests for (i) the diagnosis of cancer and (ii) personalised therapeutics, based on the detection of the methylation of genes.
This project will mainly make it possible to determine whether some of these methylation markers are capable of (i) diagnosing – at an early stage – gynaecological cancers in women (in this instance breast cancer, endometrial cancer (or possibly ovarian cancer) and cervical cancer), and (ii) to provide indications that can be used to personalise therapeutic vaccination for people suffering from lung cancer or melanoma, by classifying those that respond and those that do not respond to the treatment and determining the aggressiveness profile (prognosis/risk of recurrence) of the cancer.
The project will combine the MSP technology patented by OMS with simple non-invasive sampling techniques for these two types of tests. In addition, tests using samples of tissues will also be considered to predict the recurrence of these cancers.
Budget and financing
The total research budget committed by all the partners over the total duration of the project is €4,350,061. The funding made available by the DGTRE in the framework of the clusters is €3,512,942.
Conformity with the BioWin Health Cluster’s strategy
This project combines the expertise of 4 internationally known partners and will use their complementary areas of expertise to develop tests and high value added products in the area of life sciences and health care. The partners will thus form an excellence cluster, which other stakeholders (university centres, SMEs and large companies) will be able to join and which will become an international benchmark in the area of the epigenetic regulation of cancer.
The research sector is in line with the priorities of the thematic matrix determined by BioWin since the aim of the research is to define innovative test for the early diagnosis of cancer and personalised therapeutics. In addition, the research carried out in the framework of the project may also culminate in knowledge that will be useful for other applications in the area of oncology or other areas of health care. The results of this project correspond directly to a significant socio-economic need and will support BioWin’s credibility.
Number of people involved and jobs created
The project involves 43 people, among whom 14 full-time equivalent employees will be financed by the project. Profiles of the researchers: mainly a PhD or first degree in science and laboratory technicians. The project also makes it possible to maintain 14 jobs.
If the research results are promising and exploitable, OMS will launch prototype development, clinical validation and commercialisation phases, which may require the recruitment of additional employees for the OMS team and also for the teams of the partners during these phases. In addition, the knowledge acquired during this research may generate the development of other applications, or even a spin-off which would have a substantial impact in terms of job creation.
Contact:
Sandra Huygen
ONCOMETHYLOME SCIENCES
OncoMethylomic project coordinator
Sandra.Huygen@oncomethylome.com