CA20121 - Bench to bedside transition for pharmacological regulation of NRF2 in noncommunicable diseases (BenBedPhar)

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, respiratory or immune diseases, account for 77% of all deaths in Europe and remain the most prevalent and without effective therapy. Networking among multidisciplinary teams that explore disease from a perspective of causative pathomechanisms rather than clinical symptoms is the most appropriate approach to overcome this problem. Such pathomechanisms imply the loss of homeostatic functions leading to the pathologic formation of reactive oxygen species, chronic inflammation, metabolic unbalance and proteinopathy. The transcription factor NRF2 is a master regulator of multiple cytoprotective responses and a key molecular link among many NCDs. It provides a unique strategy for drug development and repurposing that is now starting to be translated to the pharmacological and clinical arena. This Action will build a network of excellence for integrating and spreading the existing knowledge and providing innovative services, drugs and tools related to NRF2-pharmacology, with the final goal of boosting the translation to the European industry sector. To achieve this, the Action has already gathered a wide set of professionals from different disciplines (medical chemistry, pharmacology, clinical research, molecular biology, bioinformatics, etc.) and sectors (universities, research centres, hospitals, biobanks, biotech SMEs and pharma companies, etc.). The Action will expand among COST countries IPCs and NNCs, will actively involve SMEs and ECIs, and will respect gender balance.Thanks to COST tools the Action will boost the career of young researchers, wide participation (especially from ITC countries), and spread excellence.