Immunotherapy’s effectiveness depends on the ability of immune cells to coordinate and travel to where they are needed. Unfortunately, this process can be disrupted; if anti-tumor cells can’t get to the lymph nodes (to mature) or to the tumor, then they cannot eliminate cancer cells. To figure out what can cause this disruption, Dr. Chen is examining a mouse model in which the immune cells can’t properly enter and exit lymphoid organs and instead accumulate abnormally in the blood. She also found that these cells migrated slower and mounted a weaker immune response, and she’s now working to identify the gene(s) responsible. The knowledge gained may help us design anti-tumor cells that target the tumor site with higher precision and make immunotherapy more effective in patients.
This is an exciting time to be involved in immunology research. I believe in knowledge there is power. The unmet medical needs can only be fulfilled by advancing our knowledge. I am grateful that CRI supports my pursuit of this goal.
Projects and Grants
Mechanisms controlling lymphocyte retention in, and egress from tissue
University of California, San Francisco | All Cancers | 2014 | Jason G. Cyster, Ph.D.
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