Suitable for Honours, Masters and PhD students
Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) are genetically engineered molecules that can redirect T cells to recognise particular antigens, such as those expressed by cancer cells. T cells that are transduced by CAR targeting CD19 have been effective in treating B cell cancers, e.g. B-cell leukaemia and lymphoma, where conventional treatments have failed. This exciting technology is one of the major breakthroughs in cancer therapy this decade. However, not all patients respond, not all responses are durable and there is limited success to date in CAR T cells targeting solid cancers. This project involves developing and testing new concepts in CAR T cell engineering to make them more effective, safer and more able to target solid cancers. There is also an opportunity for students to be involved in clinical correlative research to better understand the immunobiological determinants of clinical response and toxicity.