Targeting CD73 for the immunotherapy of glioblastoma

With an average median survival of 14 months, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor occurring in adults, represents an unmet medical need and new therapeutic options with a significant impact on patients survival are eagerly awaited. Our laboratory recently identified the enzyme CD73 as a new target for cancer immunotherapy. While the therapeutic potential of CD73 has been clearly established across several tumor types including breast, prostate and ovarian carcinomas, the possibility to target CD73 for GBM therapy remains unexplored. In this context, and on the basis of preliminary results and previous work, we propose to investigate the therapeutic potential of CD73 in the context of GBM. Discovering a new effective treatment for this deadly cancer would represent a significant breakthrough for patients and would position the Cancer Institute of Montreal at the forefront of the research dealing with GBM therapy and cancer immunotherapy.

Faculty Supervisor:

John Stagg

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: