Integrated Program in Immuno-Oncology

Project Description Narrative:

A body's immune system is essential to survival, allowing it to fight foreign agents such as viruses or bacteria that pose a threat to health. A cancer diagnosis means that malignant cancer cells have developed, and that an individual's underlying immune system has failed to eliminate those cells.

Over the last decade, scientific advances have found that aspects of the immune system could be used to enhance immune cell’s ability to fight cancer. These immunotherapies encompass a number of strategies to enhance a patient's immune system. While significant advances have been made to develop effective immunotherapies for cancer patients, there are critical gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed in order to effectively manipulate immune cells to fight cancer.

Through this award, investigators at the Medical College of Wisconsin will develop a translational clinical and preclinical research program in cancer immunotherapy to support further research, clinical trials, and training of the next generation of physicians and scientists in delivery immunotherapy in patients.