Harnessing the mutation-reactive T-cell response against metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer remains within the three most lethal cancers, largely due to the inevitable development of resistance to chemotherapy. Recent breakthroughs demonstrate that cancer immunotherapy can be highly effective in patients with skin cancer using T cells from the human immune system to fight off cancer. Our laboratory has found that T cells can recognize cancer as foreign because genes in cancer cells undergo mutations. We now propose to test if immunotherapy with T cells targeting cancer mutations can be developed against colorectal cancer. To this end, we will use samples from patients treated at the CHUM and perform studies with mutation-reactive T cells in a mouse model. Investigating ways to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to a common cancer will position the applicant as an expert in the field, and the Institut du Cancer de Montreal as a leader in the development of novel cancer therapeutics.

Faculty Supervisor:

Simon Turcotte

Student:

Partner:

Institut du cancer de Montréal

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: