THE ROLE OF TUMOUR-EGRESSING T CELLS IN ANTI-TUMOUR IMMUNE RESPONSES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,333.00
Summary
Immune cells can play both beneficial and detrimental roles in cancer. We have devised a novel method to ‘tag’ immune cells inside tumours and follow their fate. Using this method we discovered that immune cells called T cells can leave primary tumours and migrate to lymph nodes. The aim of this project is to investigate the role of these tumour-egressing cells in tumour immunity and to determine whether their migration and function can be manipulated to improve anti-tumour therapies.
Targeting Adenosine Mediated Immunosuppression To Enhance CAR T Cell Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,447.00
Summary
The use of white blood cells genetically engineered to eradicate cancer cells specifically has been a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. These cells (CAR T cells) are very effective in blood cancers, but do not currently work well in other cancers. This is due to the immune suppressing nature of the cancer environment. I propose to use strategies to overcome this by genetically reprogramming the CAR T cells to be resistant to suppression by the cancer and therefore be more effective.
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.
Overcoming Resistance To Cancer Immunotherapy By Targeting MET-signaling In Neutrophils
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,375.00
Summary
Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia. The human immune system is able to attack cancer cells. However, cancer cell can escape the destruction by cytotoxic cells. The development of novel immunotherapies has revolutionized cancer therapy, but only a subgroup of patients is responding. This research project aims to identify novel combinatorial therapies blocking immune suppressive neutrophils to improve anti-cancer immunity and survival of cancer 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.
Exploiting The Cross Talk Between Tuft Cells And Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells For Tissue Homeostasis And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,162.00
Summary
The project investigates the cellular cross talk within the gastric mucosa between tuft cells, a rare epithelial cell type, and tissue-resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). The tuft cell/ILC2 axis is driven by the two cytokines interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-13 and is required for tissue homeostasis but turns pro-tumourigenic in the context of chronic inflammation. Our investigation will dissect the underlying mechanisms using a combination of mouse models, immunology and bioinformatics.
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.