The PREDECT consortium will focus on complex but transferable next generation in vitro and in vivo models for breast, prostate and lung cancers. Models will be investigated for their improved potential to validate novel therapeutic targets. Known targets, in canonical pathways, will be interrogated for induction of phenotypic, proteomic and transcriptomic changes using inhibitors.

A strategy of seeking a ‘dynamic reciprocity’ of concordance between the steady and perturbed states of in vitro complex cultures, tissue slices and in vivo tumour models will be pursued by systems biology analyses. The project will develop and generate a repository of advanced complex models in 3 complementary areas:

• in vitro 2D/3D organotypic (co-)cultures, stirred bioreactor aggregates and tissue slice systems
• novel (orthotopic) grafts of human and mouse tumour samples
• genetically-engineered and mosaic mouse models.

PREDECT aims to produce results which will shift paradigms in target validation and so leading to greater predictivity of drug efficacy in drug trials. PREDECT is coordinated by Servier and AstraZeneca and the managing entity of IMI JU funding is the University of Helsinki.

The team assembles world-class biologists, clinicians and computational scientists from 8 EU institutes, 3 SMEs and 7 EFPIA members who will work to develop and then critically assess new models for target validation.

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