Development and validation of B1R-targeted antibodies for cancer therapy

In recent years, significant scientific breakthroughs have opened the door to harnessing the immune system to fight cancer. One potential group of targets, known as G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), have proven challenging due to their membrane localization and the existence of several close analogues, which often leads to ineffective or even non-specific mode of action of small molecules, (the chosen avenue for most major pharmaceutical interventions). Over the past 3 years, a multidisciplinary collaboration between researchers from Université de Sherbrooke and Immune Biosolutions has been tackling this problem. We now propose to evaluate the therapeutic potential of recombinant antibodies with antagonist properties targeting GPCR kinin B1 receptor for the treatment of solid cancers. This receptor’s expression is induced in prostate and breast cancer, among others, and its activation by agonist ligands has been shown to promote growth, migration, and invasion; thus highlighting the relevance for the development of anti-B1R antibodies with antagonist activities. If successful, we will be one step closer to establishing a working framework for new drug development that can be re-applied by Immune Biosolutions to rapidly identify and validate new antibodies acting at GPCRs for the treatment of other types of cancers as well.

Faculty Supervisor:

Fernand Gobeil

Student:

Partner:

Immune Biosolutions Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program: