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Project
Unravelling the functional B-cell heterogeneity in solid tumors and their impact on cancer immunotherapy (FWOTM969)
Solid tumors are made up of a complex, heterogeneous mass of cells, including not only cancer cells, but also a large fraction of
‘normal’ host cells, such as infiltrating immune cells. One of these cell types, B cells, is a crucial component of the adaptive immune arm. In contrast to the known importance of T cells in antitumor responses, B cells have often been overlooked in this contexture. Yet, their presence is observed in all stages of tumor development and they
can account for up to 25% of all cells in the tumor, suggesting a crucial role for B cells in tumor development. However, due to inconsistent characterization of tumor-infiltrating B cell subtypes, B cells have till now been pushed to the background.
Evidence points to several functionally distinct subsets that coexist in tumors and exhibit pro- and anti-tumor characteristics. Therefore, this project aims at characterizing these subsets and elucidating their specific roles within the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we will assess whether existing immunotherapies alter the B cell activation status and functions and whether these B cells can positively or negatively influence the outcome of immunotherapies.
The results of this PhD project will provide new insights into the overlooked role of B cell subsets in tumors and will hopefully serve
as a basis for new therapeutic combination approaches that are able to overcome the currently witnessed non-responsiveness to certain therapies.
‘normal’ host cells, such as infiltrating immune cells. One of these cell types, B cells, is a crucial component of the adaptive immune arm. In contrast to the known importance of T cells in antitumor responses, B cells have often been overlooked in this contexture. Yet, their presence is observed in all stages of tumor development and they
can account for up to 25% of all cells in the tumor, suggesting a crucial role for B cells in tumor development. However, due to inconsistent characterization of tumor-infiltrating B cell subtypes, B cells have till now been pushed to the background.
Evidence points to several functionally distinct subsets that coexist in tumors and exhibit pro- and anti-tumor characteristics. Therefore, this project aims at characterizing these subsets and elucidating their specific roles within the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we will assess whether existing immunotherapies alter the B cell activation status and functions and whether these B cells can positively or negatively influence the outcome of immunotherapies.
The results of this PhD project will provide new insights into the overlooked role of B cell subsets in tumors and will hopefully serve
as a basis for new therapeutic combination approaches that are able to overcome the currently witnessed non-responsiveness to certain therapies.
Date:1 Oct 2019 → Today
Keywords:Tumor-immunology, B cells, immunotherapy
Disciplines:Adaptive immunology, Cancer therapy