Cancer inmunotherapy and gene therapy strategies
The group is featured a translational research objective that encompass preclinical research and clinical trial activities at the University Clinic oriented to the fields of cell, gene, antibody therapy of cancer. It is configured as a tumour immunotherapy environment with strong background in immunology, mouse experimentation and cell biology of cancer.
There are four main lines of research interests at present that contains three clinically promising approaches.
- Immunostimulatory monoclonal antibodies. The group explores targets for monoclonal antibodies that enhance the antitumour immune response. Our interest is focused on identification of novel targets and on the mechanisms of action CD137, OX40. The lab is actively exploring new combination strategies to make the most of these promising agents already in clinical trials.
- Cytokine therapy of cancer. We are carrying out "proof the concept research" exploring gene and recombinant protein approaches with type I interferons, interleukin-12, interleukin-15 and CT-1. The focus is identification of the cellular mechanisms of action and elucidation of the best strategies to make these therapies clinically useful. As an additional interest in this field we are experimentally studying the innate effect of diverse viral vectors on the immune system redefining the role of early production of interferon in shaping the outcome of gene therapy approaches.
- Pharmacological manipulation of the immune response to viral vector to permit readministration.
- Cell immunotherapy of solid tumours including combined strategies using dendritic cells, T cells and NK cells. In this regard the involvement of leukocyte migration is being addressed in different in vivo cell tracking systems.
