Funded under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme, the Consortium ADAMANT - Antibody Derivatives As Molecular Agents for Neoplastic Targeting - will pursue research aimed at the discovery of improved anticancer therapies which rely on the antibody-based delivery of cytotoxic agents, radionuclides or immunostimulatory cytokines to tumour cells. The premise guiding the ADAMANT research consortium’s efforts is that this targeted approach of administration will spare normal tissues, will reduce toxicity and will achieve unprecedented efficacy.

The delivery of effective drugs to malignant tissues only is a priority issue in cancer research. One novel approach to accomplish this entails the combination of therapeutic modalities to special vehicles known as monoclonal antibodies, i.e., proteins that have optimal targeting properties, efficiency and selectivity of action against cancer only. In ADAMANT, antibodies have exhibited a broad range of therapeutic applications in various types of cancer. Ideally, the antibody will be specific for particular markers of the tumour stroma, including blood vessels, which differ from markers found in normal tissues. Markers of angiogenesis have proven particularly attractive in view of their selective, abundant and accessible presence in a wide variety of aggressive solid tumours. According to this strategy, the drug that is carried and transferred by antibodies to the neoplasms will exert its action on tumour only.

The project will build on a multidisciplinary approach involving an already consolidated team of chemists, pharmacologists, clinicians and clinical researchers, and will endeavour to bring the selected antibody + drug complexes from the basic research setting to the initial phases of clinical investigation. Bearing in mind the 7-10 year time span normally needed to move a prospective agent through the pipeline and into clinical use, the benchmark of the project’s success will be the transfer of at least one antibody-based tumour targeting agent to full-fledged industrial development after three years of research efforts.

The scientists representing the  core groups joining the ADAMANT consortium enjoy long-standing, dynamic relations, reflected in an enviable track record of jointly-authored publications. The scientists leading these groups are:

•    Raffaella Giavazzi, Coordinator, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
•    Dario Neri, Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Switzerland
•    Alex Berndt, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
•    Matteo Zanda, Kemotech Srl, Cagliari, Italy
•    Eveline Trachsel, Philochem, Zurich, Switzerland
•    Silvia Marsoni, SENDO Foundation, Milano, Italy
•    Barbara Pedley, University College London, United Kingdom
•    Vincent Castronovo, Universitè de Liège, Belgium
•    Guus Van Dongen, Vrije Universiteit  Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Press release 1. ADAMANT April 1, 2008