Generating Stronger And Smarter T Cells For Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,332.00
Summary
White blood cells from cancer patients can be modified in the laboratory to react against tumours. These cells can then be given back to the patient, which can sometimes cause cancer regression. However, often the white blood cells lack strength, or they lack the ability to distinguish between tumour and normal tissues of the body. In this project we seek to make stronger and smarter white blood cells that can deliver a lethal hit against tumours without damaging essential organs of the body.
Analysis Of Antigen Processing In Melanoma Cells, Its Influence On The Success Of Cancer Vaccination And Enhancement In A Combined-immunotherapy Xenograft Model Of Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$297,891.00
Summary
Cancer vaccines, an exciting new treatment option that aims to boost a patientÍs own immune system to fight a growing cancer, have shown great promise in developmental studies. Although these vaccines generate strong anti-cancer responses in the blood of treated patients, less than expected results have been observed in terms of increased patient survival. This project aims to understand how the cancer escapes recognition by the immune system and ways to enhance the effects of cancer vaccines.
Immunotherapy is a new approach to treat cancer, and works by promoting the immune system to attack cancer. Immunotherapies, such as checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapy, are proving to be very successful in certain human cancers. However, combining immunotherapy with drugs that cause cancer cell death may be more effective. This project will investigate the potential of combining immunotherapy with a novel anti-cancer drug, in order to develop more effective treatments for cancer.
Investigating The Anti-tumour Efficacy And On Target Toxicity Of Gene-modified T Cell Therapy In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,614.00
Summary
White blood cells from cancer patients can be modified in the laboratory to react against tumours. Although these cells can induce cancer regression when given back to the patient, these cells can often cause associated pathology. In this study we propose to fully investigate the limits of this type of therapy for mediating anti-tumour responses and potential toxicity in mouse models that closely recapitulate the human setting. These studies will lead to a more effective therapy for patients.
Mechanisms Of Resistance To Immunological Targeting Of Primary And Metastatic Colorectal Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,828.00
Summary
The immune system influences the outcome in patients with cancer. We have been early adopters of immunotherapy approaches to target cancer cells using the novel approaches to enhance immune attack on cells that aberrantly express cancer regulators. These represent drivers to which cancer cells are addicted. A central tenant of optimizing immunotherapies has been to employ immune stimuli in concert with removing immune blocking systems. Our research plan is to improve immunotherapy efficiency.
Interactions Between IL-15 And TGF-beta Signalling Pathways Reveal Novel Therapeutic Strategies To Boost Anti-cancer Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,425.00
Summary
This project will determine if new immune inhibitory checkpoints can be synergistically targeted with BRAFV600E inhibition to reactivate and allow NK cells to maximise their anti-tumour immune functions and prevent cancer spread. It is a completely novel approach that will allow for the more rational design of melanoma treatments that targets NK cells following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
Understanding The Role Of B Cells In Gastric Cancer For The Design Of New Therapeutic Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,383.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Our laboratory has previously established clinically relevant mouse model of gastric cancers, and our preliminary results indicate a strong link between B cell tumor infiltration and gastric cancer progression. In this project, we aim to elucidate the role of B cells in gastric cancer and determine whether B-cell targeted therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy can be beneficial against this malignancy.
Adenosine Receptor Antagonists As Immunotherapeutic Agents For Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,779.00
Summary
We have shown that drugs that block immunosuppressive adenosine receptors can improve anti-tumour immune responses and consequently enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. These drugs are already known to be well-tolerated in humans and so have great potential for clinical development. We propose to determine the therapeutic response achieved with these drugs in combination with established cancer treatments involving radiotherapy and immune based therapies.
The Role Of The Transcription Factor Blimp-1 In Tumour Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,674.00
Summary
Regulatory T (Treg) cells function by suppressing immune system activity, ensuring that our immune system does not mount a response against our own tissue. In cancer, Treg cells suppress anti-tumour immunity, facilitating tumour growth. Recently we have identified a group of active Treg cells that may be the key drivers of immune response regulation. Our work will examine the role of these active Treg cells in tumour immunity, opening the door to more effective targeting of Treg cells in cancer.
Therapeutic Vaccine Against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Targeting The Immune Adjuvant Properties Of Natural Killer T Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,606.00
Summary
Patients with lymphoma cancers initially respond well to treatment, but later relapse with disease. The immune system can be effective at controlling cancer. A potential treatment option is to boost the natural immune response against cancer. This study investigates a vaccine that activates a certain immune cell, NKT cells, to fight lymphomas by delivering an NKT cell-activating molecule. Outcomes will allow assessment of combining an NKT-based vaccine with established treatments for lymphoma.