DC-THERA, initiated in January 2005, is a five-year € 7.6 million initiative to focus on dendritic cell (DC) immunobiology and its therapeutic applications. The consortium  comprises a core set of 32 groups of scientists, clinicians and SMEs across Europe whose collective contributions to the project are valued in excess of € 72 million. We also have a growing number of Associated Partners, currently almost 40 groups from across Europe including several from the New and Candidate member States. DC-THERA aims to integrate their activities into an ambitious Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) to undertake translational medicine and develop novel DC-based immunotherapies for cancer and HIV.

In addition to its wide-ranging scientific and technological (S&T) programme, the project has established core technological platforms and implemented a variety of high-quality education and training activities. It is also forging links with other FP6 Networks to provide added value to all EC projects working towards new vaccination strategies. In so doing, DC-THERA will contribute to ensuring that Europe remains a leader in the field for the future.

Dendritic cell (DC) immunobiology has enormous potential for development of new immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease. Europe possesses a critical mass of leaders in the field who have pioneered many innovative advances and provided initial proof of principle for the approach.  DC-THERA aims to facilitate the translation of genomic, proteomic and bioinformatic information with knowledge from molecular cell biology and pre-clinical models towards therapeutic endpoints: clinical trials of DC-based therapies for cancer and HIV.

Four thematic S&T Clusters have been defined, with a fifth for horizontal activities. The latter includes development of synergistic links with other Networks, providing added value to EC Programmes by underpinning all projects developing new vaccine strategies for major killer diseases. The Network is currently developing a centralised European resource of databases for the field. DC-THERA is developing new research tools, integrating existing and new technological platforms, recruiting additional support staff, and making these available as shared resources for all partners. The Network has further implemented an ambitious Education and Training Programme, including the establishment of annual Graduate Schools, new PhD studentships, a Visiting Scholars Scheme, and high quality training courses.

DC-THERA will contribute to the European biotechnology sector and have a impact on European policy-making for the future. DC-THERA will evolve itself into a Centre of Excellence for DC Biology, with a lasting and global impact.