#Germany #Immunotherapy #Heidelberg #NeutroFlow #Predictive Biomarkers

NeutroFlow Consortium Recognized with €2.5 Million Grant for Groundbreaking Biomarker Development

In a significant advancement for precision oncology, a European consortium led by NeutroFlow has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the EIC Transition Programme of Horizon Europe. The consortium includes prominent institutions such as Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany, European Institute of Oncology in Italy, Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Spain, and OncoHost, a precision medicine company based in Israel. This funding is set to catalyze a collaborative effort aimed at developing an innovative diagnostic tool designed to forecast patient responsiveness to immunotherapy treatments.

The NeutroFlow Project

NeutroFlow's primary objective is to create a point-of-care diagnostic test capable of predicting responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) across several cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This project is pivotal in overcoming the existing challenge in oncology where only a small percentage of patients experience long-term benefits from ICIs. The initiative officially launches in May 2025, under the capable leadership of OncoHost, orchestrating various project activities.

Pioneering Personnel

The consortium is composed of highly esteemed professionals leading the charge in this endeavor. Noteworthy contributors include:

• - Prof. Petros Christopoulos, Dr. Stefanie Zschäbitz, and Dr. Sebastian Dieter from Heidelberg University.
• - Prof. Francesco Bertolini and Dr. Patrizia Mancuso from the European Institute of Oncology (IEO).
• - Dr. Luis de la Cruz, Dr. David Vicente-Baz, and Dr. Alberto Moreno from Virgen Macarena University Hospital.
• - Dr. Michal Harel from OncoHost.

These experts bring vast expertise in areas spanning translational research, clinical oncology, and precision medicine, thereby laying a robust foundation for the NeutroFlow initiative's anticipated success.

Addressing Critical Limitations

Despite the revolutionary potential of ICIs in cancer therapy, the stark reality remains that only a fraction of patients realize lasting therapeutic benefits. This highlights an urgent requirement for reliable predictive biomarkers that can guide clinical decision-making. back in October 2023, groundbreaking research identified a unique subset of Ly6Ehi neutrophils as a promising pre-treatment biomarker, crucially referenced in the scientific journal _Cancer Cell_ (PMID 38181798). The NeutroFlow project plans to capitalize on these insights to develop a swift, flow cytometry-based test easily deployable in typical hospital environments.

Transforming Clinical Decision-Making

NeutroFlow is poised to yield a cost-effective and scalable diagnostic solution that will markedly enhance the precision of immunotherapy outcomes. By accurately identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from ICI treatments, the project addresses one of oncology's most pressing challenges—effective patient stratification for immunotherapy.

Commitment to Precision Oncology

This grant stands as a testament to the consortium's unwavering commitment to reshaping the landscape of precision oncology and facilitating access to patient-centered predictive solutions. Each partner's unique strengths and shared vision are expected to be a driving force behind the successful realization of NeutroFlow's objectives.

About the Consortium Partners

• - Heidelberg University is recognized across Europe for its contributions to research and innovation in life sciences and oncology.
• - The European Institute of Oncology (IEO), located in Milan, Italy, is celebrated for its comprehensive research and educational initiatives to combat cancer, focusing on identifying rare cell populations through flow cytometry.
• - Virgen Macarena University Hospital, a center of excellence in Seville, Spain, is dedicated to the advancement of oncology and translational research, notably in immunotherapy and biomarker-driven trials.
• - OncoHost, headquartered in Binyamina, Israel, is pioneering innovative proteomic technologies aimed at enhancing immunotherapy decision-making through detailed plasma analysis, contributing to improved global health outcomes.

As this ambitious project unfolds, the collaboration among these esteemed institutions could significantly advance the field of predictive oncology, ultimately aiming to save countless lives through informed and effective treatment strategies.