The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded a $483,395 R21 grant under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395) to The Institute For Cancer Research, a non-profit subsidiary of Temple University. The grant supports the development and evaluation of a novel engineered IL-21-based immunocytokine as a therapeutic approach for targeting renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The project aims to: 1) achieve tumor-specific targeting of the IL-21 immunocytokine with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, 2) limit side effects associated with systemic IL-21 administration, and 3) reduce off-target Fc receptor-mediated toxicity. The project will focus on designing the most effective tumor-specific protease cleavable linker for fusing the anti-CD70 antibody and IL-21 to enhance RCC tumor microenvironment-specific IL-21 release and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The funding period is from June 2024 to May 2026.
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