Identification of T cell antigens in oesophago-gastric cancer

PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are changing the way gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinomas (GOAs) are treated. Despite selection by PD-L1 expression, only 15% of patients benefit. What antigens are recognized by the CD8 T cells that are unleashed through ICIs is unclear. This PhD will investigate the immunopeptidome of patient derived organoids and cell lines to first describe the antigen landscape presented by class I HLA in GO adenocarcinomas. It will then narrow down which of these can be detected by CD8 T cells using in vitro co-culture assays. Neoantigens and cancer associated antigens will be investigated and their suitability for use in cancer vaccines or T cell receptor engineered T cells will be assessed. This may identify novel antigen-specific therapeutics for GO adenocarcinomas.