Seminar of the Faculty of Science at BIOCEV – ​”Cancer immunotherapy and tumor models” by RNDr. Michal Šmahel, Ph.D.

RNDr. Michal Šmahel, Ph.D.: ​Cancer immunotherapy and tumor models

Cancer immunotherapy achieved great progress in clinical trials in recent years but still most patients do not respond to this treatment. In our lab, we endeavor to enhance the effect of cancer immunotherapy by the combination of various immunostimulatory methods applied against mouse tumors with downregulation of MHC class I expression which represents one of the most frequent tumor escape mechanisms. To immunize against tumors, we constructed plasmids carrying various fusion genes. These DNA vaccines, that are delivered by a gene gun, are mainly aimed against the human papillomavirus E7 oncoprotein. Moreover, immunization was also aimed against legumain that is overexpressed in M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages supporting tumor growth and against markers of cancer stem cells (Sox2 and Aurka). Next, we tried to enhance the antitumor effect of DNA immunization by the depletion of regulatory T cells with antibody against CD25 and by the blockade of the PD-1 immune checkpoint receptor. For the analysis of mechanisms contributing to antitumor immune reactions, we modify tumor cell lines with the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

More info at:

• Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Laboratory of Immunotherapy -https://www.natur.cuni.cz/biology/genetics/veda-a-vyzkum-1/laboratory-of-immunotherapy?set_language=en

• BIOCEV, group Immunization against Tumors Caused by Human Viruses –http://www.biocev.eu/en/programme/cellular-biology-and-virology/imunizace-proti-nadorum-vyvolanym-lidskymi-viry