Augmenting Chimeric Antibody Receptor Directed T cell Therapy for Cancer

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project describes a 5 year training program for a career as a Physician-Scientist with the long term goal of establishing a research program within the field of thoracic and pleural oncology. The applicant has finished a fellowship in Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently conducting research in adoptive T cell immunotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a deadly asbestos-related pleural malignancy for which treatment options remain limited. The research focus of this proposal is to enhance the anti-tumor effect of chimeric antibody receptor (CAR)-based T cell immunotherapy. The central hypothesis of the proposal is that CAR T cell therapy for MPM can be significantly enhanced by improving T cell trafficking, inhibiting tumor microenvironment immunosuppression, and making T cells more resilient to tumor induced functional inhibition. In Specific Aim 1, CAR T cells will be genetically modified to express chemokine receptors appropriate for the chemokines secreted by MPM tumor in attempt to augment T cell trafficking to tumor. In Specific Aim 2, T cell signaling molecules/domains known to inhibit T cell activation will be genetically inactivated in order to increase T cell resilience to tumor-induced inactivation. In Specific Aim 3, using two complementary mouse models of CAR T cell immunotherapy, established inhibitory mediators secreted into the tumor microenvironment that allow evasion of immunity will be inhibited in attempts to augment T cell anti-tumor efficacy. The training component of this proposal includes formal coursework, participation in a rich environment of post-doctoral lectures and seminars in thoracic/pleural oncology, acquisition of advanced laboratory techniques, and individual mentoring. This project will take place under the supervision of Dr. Steven Albelda who is the Director of Lung Research and the Thoracic Oncology Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania; and Dr. Carl June who is the Director of Translational Research at the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn. Dr. Albelda and Dr. June have mentored over 100 trainees. In addition, an advisory committee of distinguished scientists will provide experimental assistance, intellectual guidance, and career advice throughout the duration of this award.