Exploring the effects of nutrient deprivation on T cells and oncolytic adenoviruses, in order to create immune activators for tumour therapy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oncology
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses can replicate selectively within the tumour microenvironment and kill tumour cells, before spreading to infect adjacent cells. They can kill cells directly and can also encode potent biologicals for selective expression within tumours. However, viruses must be able to produce multiple copies of themselves under the challenging nutrient-restricted and acidic environment of solid tumours. This project will explore the interface between adenovirus activity and the limitation of amino acid supply within tumours, for example mediated by over-expression of the enzyme IDO which breaks down local tryptophan. It will also cover adenovirus activity under acidic conditions found to be in solid tumours. The work should go on to then monitor the resulting environment following virus infection and how this may affect long term changes in the tumour, for example the activity of immune cells, specifically T cells following oncolytic viral infection. The project will be at the interface of basic biology and therapeutic development and will make use of many techniques including molecular cloning as well as virology and cell culture techniques.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Leonard Seymour (Primary Supervisor) | |
Sally Frost (Student) |
Publications
Dyer A
(2019)
Turning cold tumours hot: oncolytic virotherapy gets up close and personal with other therapeutics at the 11th Oncolytic Virus Conference.
in Cancer gene therapy
Dyer A
(2019)
Antagonism of Glycolysis and Reductive Carboxylation of Glutamine Potentiates Activity of Oncolytic Adenoviruses in Cancer Cells.
in Cancer research
Scott EM
(2019)
Bi- and tri-valent T cell engagers deplete tumour-associated macrophages in cancer patient samples.
in Journal for immunotherapy of cancer
Scott EM
(2020)
Use of Liquid Patient Ascites Fluids as a Preclinical Model for Oncolytic Virus Activity.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MR/N013468/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2025 | |||
1813152 | Studentship | MR/N013468/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2020 | Sally Frost |
Description | Biochemical Society General Travel Grant |
Amount | £300 (GBP) |
Funding ID | SALLYFROST GTG MAY2018 |
Organisation | Biochemical Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 05/2018 |
Description | Old Members' Trust Graduate Conference and Academic Travel Grant |
Amount | £350 (GBP) |
Organisation | University College Oxford |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 05/2018 |
Description | UNIQ programme (Immunology session) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 40 pupils from schools in the region came for the UNIQ 2019 programme at the University of Oxford. They are usually students who are from under-priveliged backgrounds and the aim of the programme is to get them interested in coming to university and in our subject. I presented a session on immunology that included in part a little about the research I am undertaking within this award. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |