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.
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.
The Role Of Interleukin (IL)-27 In The Endogenous Anti-tumour Immune Response And The Use Of An IL-27 Agonist As A Cancer Therapeutic.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,960.00
Summary
Our data in mice suggest that immune cell signalling protein, interleukin (IL)-27, enhances anti-tumour immune responses and slows growth of mammary tumours and carcinogen induced sarcomas. This project aims to test how IL-27 promotes protective anti-tumour immune responses and to develop a modified IL-27 protein that will be tested as a cancer therapeutic in mice. This will be the first study to examine IL-27 function using physiological tumour models and may provide proof of concept for a new ....Our data in mice suggest that immune cell signalling protein, interleukin (IL)-27, enhances anti-tumour immune responses and slows growth of mammary tumours and carcinogen induced sarcomas. This project aims to test how IL-27 promotes protective anti-tumour immune responses and to develop a modified IL-27 protein that will be tested as a cancer therapeutic in mice. This will be the first study to examine IL-27 function using physiological tumour models and may provide proof of concept for a new therapeutic strategy for some human cancers.Read moreRead less
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.
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 Actomyosin Cytoskeleton In T Cell-mediated Anti-tumour Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,950.00
Summary
T cells, specialised immune cells, are crucial in the defence against tumours. In order to reach cancerous target cells, T cells must enter tumour tissues from the blood stream and then effectively migrate in the extravascular space. This application aims to uncover the role of the cytoskeleton, a group of molecules driving cell shape change and motility, in the efficient execution of T cell anti-tumour function. These studies will aid the development of improved immunotherapies against 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.
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.
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.
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.