Disease Focus: Cancer
Investigating the SGF29/SAGA complex in regulation of normal and cancer stem cells
Research Objective This study will address gaps in our understanding of how normal and cancer stem cells differ in their epigenetic states, helping develop new cancer-stem-cell-targeting therapis. Impact The long-term impact of our studies is the understanding of mechnistic differences between normal and cancer stem cells and the development of new therapies. Major Proposed Activities […]
Engineering pluripotent stem cells for universally available, off-the-shelf T cell therapies
Research Objective Our goal is to develop new gene editing methods for producing universal, off-the-shelf, therapeutic T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that can be applied to a range of diseases. Impact We will develop new gene editing approaches to overcome the block to T cell development from iPSC that occurs when key […]
Determining how age-specific heterogeneity of human hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitors contribute to thrombotic disease upon aging
Research Objective Our research will determine how aging of human blood stem cells leads to dramatic increases in disorders of platelets, cells that normally prevent bleeding but form harmful clots when dysregulated. Impact Our findings have the potential to inform prevention and mitigation strategies of bleeding and clotting disorders that contribute to significant morbidity and […]
Development of universal off-the-shelf iPSC derived dendritic cells for use as patient specific anti-tumor vaccine
Research Objective This proposal aims to develop a novel cell based vaccine for the treatment of cancer. The vaccine would be derived from stem cells and be personalized to the genetics of the patient and their cancer. Impact Success would provide proof-of-principle of a novel cell based therapy for cancers broadly. It is expected to […]
Orthogonal IL2 Receptor Transduced Regulatory T Cells for Clinical Application
Research Objective Genetically modified cells that help control immune reactions Impact Improved treatment for patients undergoing transplantation Major Proposed Activities To identify the optimal source of regulatory T cells for introduction of the novel IL2 receptor To test the impact of a novel IL2 protein on activating the regulatory T cells To determine the optimal […]
Developing a breast cancer stem cell drug
Research Objective To make a drug that kills breast cancer stem cells Impact Metastatic breast cancer is incurable. The goal is to make a drug leading to cures Major Proposed Activities Make a novel drug that potentially more effectively treats breast cancer with less toxicity Test the drug for efficacy and toxicity Breast cancer is […]
Reprogramming Somatic Cells into iPSCs Engineered with an Anti-PSCA CAR to Develop Allogeneic Off-the-Shelf Cell Therapy to Treat Pancreatic Cancer
Research Objective Our candidate product PSCA-CAR_s15 uiNK is derived from transduction of iPSCs selected from the most ideal source and episomally reprogrammed from mature NK cells or CD34+ cells. Impact Cell Functionality and Quality; Scale up and Manufacture Major Proposed Activities Development and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) via somatic cell reprogramming of […]
Vax-CT to promote formation of cancer-specific T memory stem cell for personalized cancer immunotherapy
Research Objective A vaccine booster to induce antigen-specific T memory stem cells that will help enhance the long-term immunity against cancer recurrence Impact Cancer recurrence presents an unmet medical need. Cancer vaccines are promising, but often lack a long-term protection. We will induce T memory stem cells (TMSCs) to boost the long-term immunity. Major Proposed […]
Reversal of dysregulated myelopoiesis in breast cancers and cancer stem cells to boost antitumor immunotherapy
Research Objective A new antiestrogen drug will be developed to stop breast cancer (BC) by direct effects on BC cells including stem cells and indirect action on specific procancer immune cells that surround the cancer. Impact Substantial numbers of patients with localized breast cancer (BC) and essentially all patients with advanced BC become resistant to […]
Development of novel small molecules against cancer stem cells in solid cancers
Research Objective To study and optimize lead compounds with multi-kinase activity against existing glioma stem cells and radiation-induced phenotype conversion of non-stem glioma cells into induced glioma stem cells. Impact Glioblastoma is a universally deadly disease. While radiotherapy prolongs survival in glioblastoma it has hit a critical barrier. The proposed study aims to improve the […]