How to harness the immune system to cure cancer: adoptive cell immunotherapy
- Research Opportunity
- PhD, Masters by Research, Honours, Master of Biomedical Science
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 2
- Department
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Location
- Doherty Institute
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Jose Villadangos | j.villadangos@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
| Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Justine Mintern | jmintern@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
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.
Faculty Research Themes
Cancer, Infection and Immunology
School Research Themes
Cancer in Biomedicine, Infection & Immunity
Research Opportunities
PhD, Masters by Research, Honours, Master of Biomedical Science
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Research Node
Doherty InstituteMDHS Research library
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