Cancer immunobiology
Working closely with Professor Stern at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research we have been clinically evaluating a novel tumour antigen, known as 5T4, as a target for cancer immunotherapy.
5T4 is an antigen found on the placenta and over-expressed on many common cancers. We have a particular interest in renal cell cancer and have been investigating the expression of 5T4 in this tumour - expression is very high and this appears a particularly good target for immunotherapy. We have an active trials programme targeting 5T4 in a number of ways.
Understanding immune regulation is key to effective immunotherapy and a number of important regulatory systems have been described. An important feature is regulatory T cells which can limit the development of immune responses. We have examined these in kidney cancer and found a significant increase in numbers both in the blood and in the tumour tissue. Understanding how we can be depleted or block the activity of these cells is likely to be important for optimal immunotherapy and we are undertaking trials to explore methods of doing this.