Profiling Nectin family proteins in human tumors: a pilot biobank project for enhancing immunotherapy strategies

Ongoing Projects, Projects

Project title: UNIRI PROJECTS BY EXPERIENCED RESEARCHERS - Profiling Nectin family proteins in human tumors: a pilot biobank project for enhancing immunotherapy strategies

Funding source: University of Rijeka

Project code: uniri-iz-25-173

Coordinator: Asst. prof. Paola Kučan Brlić, PhD

Research Team:

      • Prof. Tihana Lenac Roviš, PhD
      • Prof. Nives Jonjić, MD, PhD
      • Mijo Golemac, MD
      • Devis Pascut, PhD
      • Marija Mazor, PhD
      • Ema Bellulovich

Total funding: 40.979,25 €

Project implementation period: 01.10.2025. - 30.09.2029.

Brief description: Proteins from the nectin and nectin-like family represent a new generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and have attracted significant attention in immunotherapy. Similar to PD-1/PD-L1, which regulate immune responses and enable tumor evasion, proteins such as Nectin-4, CD112R, and CD155 also contribute to resistance to ICI therapies. Although their expression in certain tumors has been studied, the relationships between family members, their connection to PD-1/PD-L1, and their distribution within the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain insufficiently understood. Their expression patterns in the TME could significantly impact prognosis, while their presence in periphery may serve as a biomarker for patient selection. Establishing a pilot biobank for profiling nectin-family checkpoint proteins in tumor samples is essential for gaining deeper insights into their role in immune regulation and developing new therapeutic strategies, including personalized cancer treatments.

The primary objective of the project includes creating a nectin-related ICI profile for patients, providing information on the expression of these proteins and their relationship with other ICI. Such a profile will enable more accurate predictions of therapy efficacy and the personalization of treatment based on tumor-specific and immune response characteristics. The project also involves the collection and storage of fresh-frozen tumor samples for further analyses. The goal is to optimize the utilization of biological material and facilitate various research applications. Special attention will be given to assessing the stability of the ICI profile and the impact of slow tissue freezing on its applicability in methods such as 2D/3D cultures, phenotyping, and RNA sequencing. This will help evaluate the long-term feasibility of storing fresh tissues and optimize their use in future research. Additionally, the project aims to define technical and regulatory requirements for compliance with international biobank standards and implement quality control technologies, laying the groundwork for the development of a future biobank.