NIH Reporter #5K00CA284255-05

Investigating novel T cell autocrine pathways governing T cell fate

The award funds research investigating novel autocrine pathways in T cells that regulate their fate, aiming to improve melanoma patient survival by enhancing CD8+ T-cell survival through blocking suppressive tumor proteins.

Description

This project aims to understand mechanisms of T cell regulation and resistance in melanoma, with potential implications for immunotherapy development. CD8+ T cells are crucial immune cells in our body’s fight against cancer and the degree to which CD8+ T cells traffic to and infiltrate the tumor greatly impacts cancer patient survival, especially melanoma patient survival. The project focuses on a new pathway existing between CD8+ T cells and a protein present at the tumor that negatively impacts CD8+ T-cell survival. Through mouse models, the mechanism will be illuminated to block this negative interaction to increase CD8+ T-cell survival and improve melanoma patient survival.

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