Cancer Cell Autonomous Regulation of Immunogenicity: Revisiting the Immunoediting Hypothesis
Abstract
Therapies that activate the patient’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer are promising treatment options for lung cancer. However, these therapies are often effective only in a sunset of patients and are typically short-lived. Our research project aims to identify the genetic determinants of therapeutic success with the ultimate goal of selecting patients that will be particularly responsive to these therapies and those that may benefit from a distinct therapeutic course of action. Our project therefore addresses multiple Areas of Emphasis for the LCRP: (1) Understand the molecular mechanisms of initiation and progression to lung cancer, (2) Develop or optimize prognostic or predictive markers to assist with therapeutic decision-making, (3) Understand mechanisms of resistance to treatment (primary and secondary). The project will identify whether specific gene mutations that cause a patient’s cancer also create therapeutic susceptibility or resistance to immune therapies currently used to treat patients without respect for their cancer causing mutations. Potentially, our research may identify patient populations that are good candidates for immune therapy while other patients are not. This would inform the best treatment course for all patients. Moreover, the research may explain in molecular terms why some patients are more responsive to immune therapy and therefore may inform future treatments that increase the effectiveness of immune therapy for a wider swath of patients. The project is very basic in nature and, at this time, the expected timeline to clinically actionable results is too difficult to predict. The project will significantly advance our ability to rationally design and implement experimental therapies to eradicate lung cancer. This would significantly benefit the American public and disproportionally impact the health care needs of military Service Members, Veterans, their families, and other military beneficiaries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210008
Entities
People
- David M Feldser
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Pennsylvania