Our goal is to develop new cures for cancer patients by engineering immune cells to recognize and kill tumor cells.
We now know the immune system is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. Immunotherapies come in a variety of forms. T cells are a major mediator of the anti-tumor immune response. In recent years, harnessing the potential of T cells has led to major breakthroughs in cancer therapy.
About CAR T Cells
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a treatment in which T cells are instructed to recognize and kill tumor cells through a specialized synthetic receptor (a CAR). CAR T cells have dramatically improved the survival of relapsed/refractory leukemia patients. Many patients with terminal leukemia who would have died of disease have experienced remarkable complete and durable remissions, often after just one dose of modified T cells.
CAR T Cells for Pancreatic Cancer
We are working to extend this technology to a wider range of cancers. Our lab focuses on designing and cloning novel CARs, introducing them into T cells, and testing their efficacy against various solid tumors. We are currently working on CAR T cells for the most common cancers – breast, prostate, and lung – as well as for pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma.
CAR Macrophages
Macrophages can be engineered with a CAR to improve targeted phagocytosis of cancer cells, or any other unwanted material in the body. We are currently working to develop new forms of CAR-Ms for cancer and other diseases.
Lab News
2020 National Agilent Early Career Professor Award Presented to Carl DeSelm (Links to an external site)
