Improving immunotherapy for glioblastoma
Fast facts
- Official title: Resetting the tumour microenvironment to improve glioblastoma immunotherapy
- Lead researcher: Dr Roberta Mazzieri
- Where: University of Queensland, Australia
- When: March 2017 – February 2018
- Cost: £99,925
- Research type: Adult, Glioblastoma (High Grade),Academic
Immunotherapy treatments harness the body’s natural defence system and use it to recognise and destroy tumour cells. However, despite the progress being made in the use of immunotherapy, glioblastoma remains resistant to it.
Dr Mazzieri and her team will be investigating two new pioneering ways that they can overcome this by looking at techniques to reverse glioblastoma’s suppression of the immune system. Firstly they will genetically engineer white blood cells to carry a powerful immune stimulatory molecule to the tumour site. They will also be enhancing the use of dendritic cells to recognise and destroy tumour cells.
By undertaking this research, Dr Mazzieri’s work could identify potential new treatments for GBM patients that could substantially prolong quality of life and improve survival rates.
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