2016 Lung Cancer Research Foundation Annual Grant Program
Hiromitsu Nakauchi, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Research Project:
Exploring novel rejuvenated T cell immunotherapy for lung cancer
Summary:
Lung
cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Mutations that activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) account for most of mutations in advanced lung cancer. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), showed therapeutic efficacy when such EGFR mutations are present. However, patients frequently develop resistance to TKIs with secondary mutations. Among them, a new point mutation called C797S occurred after 3rd generation TKI (AZD9291) treatment and is the major mechanism that causes cancer relapse and death. Currently, there is no treatment for patients with this type of EGFR mutation. In this project, we will generate killer T cells from relapsed patients specific to this mutation and apply them for T-cell immunotherapy. Furthermore, using the most state-of-art induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, we will try to rejuvenate such killer T cells for higher killing activity and to provide unlimited supply for treatment. We will perform this proof-of-concept study in collaboration with Stanford oncologists. |