Developing Novel Immunotherapeutics for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults and the second most common pediatric leukemia. The incidence and mortality rates are significantly higher in military populations than civilian populations. Despite effectiveness of consolidation chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate of AML is less than 30%. Novel treatment strategies with significantly enhanced efficacy are still urgently required. Compared with conventional chemotherapy, therapeutic agents that can effectively activate the immune system for robustly destroying AML cells have emerged as increasingly important anti-cancer therapies. However, due to limited efficacy and considerable safety concerns for existing immunotherapies, more efficacious and safer therapeutic regimens are urgently required to address unmet medical needs and advance understanding of anticancer immunity for improved control and manipulation of the immune response. Herein, we propose to develop a novel class of therapeutics that can selectively redirect and activate the immune cells against AML cells for killing. Our proposed immunotherapeutics are unique and distinguished from conventional regimens, which prove to be unsafe and lack of effectiveness. Specifically, we creatively combine knowledge and technologies from cell biology, protein engineering, and nanotechnology to rationally design and generate innovative nanoparticles with the power to control the immune system in a directed manner for potent and selective attacking of AML cells. The Principal Investigator (PI) has exceptional expertise and experience in the proposed areas. Successful completion of this research project will not only lead to development of therapeutic candidates as proof of concept for the PI to secure extramural funding opportunities that support cancer research, but also place the PI at the forefront of cancer immunotherapy towards a highly productive and independent research career. It is expected that all three proposed aims will be achieved by the end of this 3-year research project. We anticipate that the obtained research results from these preclinical studies will provide a strong basis for subsequent translation into practical applications for benefiting military personnel with AML.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910272
Entities
People
- Yong Zhang
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Southern California