How to harness the immune system to cure cancer: adoptive cell immunotherapy

Summary This project will exploit a mouse model of lymphoma to improve outcomes of adoptive cell therapy.

Project Details

Tumour cells express neo-antigens that can be recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). These tumour-specific CTL can be isolated from tumour biopsies or manufactured in vitro by genetic engineering. They can then be expanded and inoculated into the patient to kill cancer. This approach is revolutionizing cancer treatment. Unfortunately, in many individuals the tumour ”fights back” and inactivates the infused CTL, compromising the therapy.

This project will exploit a mouse model of lymphoma to improve outcomes of adoptive cell therapy. We can reproduce successful vs impaired CTL immunotherapy. We have identified genes potentially involved in each outcome. Using multiphoton live microscopy, we can also visualise the interactions between tumour cells and the CTL in the living animal. Our goal is to apply our findings to the clinic and improve the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy. The aims of this project will be to identify genes that control the outcome of adoptive cell therapy, and characterise the interactions between T cells and the tumour. This project is funded by the Cancer Council of Australia and the Cancer Research institute of the USA.

Further reading

Jose A. Villadangos, 2016, Immunol. Rev. 272:169-182.