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Tailoring Dendritic Cell Diversity To Advance Effective Immunotherapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) constitute the first line of defense against infection and cancer. To achieve this feat, DC have evolved into a sophisticated network of specialized subtypes, although how this diversification process occurs is yet to be fully clarified. We have uncovered a new molecule, termed DC-SCRIPT, which has a key role in establishing the DC network, specialization and function. This offers crucial new clues as to how to manipulate DCs to either boost or dampen the immune system.
Characterization And Targeting Of Precursor Exhausted T Cells (TPEX) For The Treatment Of Chronic Infection And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,009.00
Summary
The recent discovery of precursor exhausted CD8 T cells (TPEX) has not only allowed us to conceptualize our understanding of how chronic T cell responses are maintained over long periods of time, but also resulted in a new understanding of the mechanisms underpinning checkpoint inhibition. I will undertake critical characterization of these TPEX in chronic viral infections with the goal to reveal phenotypic and functional properties, which will serve as potential novel targets for immunotherapy.
Optimizing Immunotherapy Treatment For Breast Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,938,014.00
Summary
The first steps in introducing immunotherapy for breast cancer patients have been taken in 2019. However, there is much work to do optimize immunotherapy for all breast cancer patients. My research, involving both lab and clinical trials, will develop new treatment strategies and identify new biomarkers to distinguish responders and non-responders. This will allow individualised selection of patients for evaluation of different immunotherapy approaches, with the aim of improving their survival.
Tipping The Balance - Improving Response Rates To Cancer Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Survival rates for some types of cancer remain low. It was previously thought that chemotherapy could not be combined with drugs that affect the immune system (immunotherapy) to treat cancer. My research disproved this. I develop models to study cancer in the lab. I also research ways to measure how people’s bodies respond to chemotherapy and immunotherapy (biomarkers). I use this information to discover new drug combinations to reduce deaths from cancer.
Natural killer (NK) cell posses the ability to detect and kill transformed or stressed cells such as tumour cells. My recent data show that NK cells are required for efficient immunotherapy responses by enhancing the global immune response to cancer and preventing tumour cells from metastasising to vital organs. I propose to identify novel pathways and develop new therapeutic approaches to exploit NK cell anti-tumor function and improve cancer immunotherapy response rates in patients.
Defining The Role Of B Lymphocytes In Breast Cancer At Single-cell Resolution
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
B cells, a type of immune cells, are likely protective against breast cancer, albeit through unknown mechanisms. Over the next 5 years I will apply high-resolution profiling and imaging of B cells within breast cancer biopsies to understand their contribution and identify novel clinical targets, leading to better patient outcomes.