Mechanisms of Antigen Presentation and Immune Evasion in Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadly brain cancer. A major challenge in treating GBM is its ability to suppress the immune system. This limits the effectiveness of immunotherapy and radiation treatments. We seek to understand how dendritic cells, key components of the immune system that activate cancer-fighting cells, are affected in GBM. We will employ novel genetically engineered mouse models of GBM to determine where and how dendritic cells activate CD8+ T cells and how radiation therapy affects this process. We will also examine how GBM tumors interact with dendritic and CD8+ T cells and how this changes with tumor growth, treatment with radiation and treatment with chemotherapy. This could lead to combinations of therapies that make tumors more vulnerable to immune-mediated treatments, which could then enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy and ultimately lead to better treatments and improved survival of patients.
