Home Department: Biology
Mentor: Crystal Mackall (Pediatrics - Hematology & Oncology and Medicine - Blood & Marrow Transplantation)

“Overcoming Fas Ligand-Fas Receptor Mediated T Cell Apoptosis in the Tumor Microenvironment”

Overcoming the immunosuppression of the tumor microenviornment (TME) that sustains tumorigenesis remains a challenge in the development of successful cancer immunotherapies. One of the ways that solid tumors mount immunosuppression is through the Fas Ligand (FasL)-FasR Receptor (FasR) apoptotic pathway. By overexpressing FasL, tumors eliminate infiltrating lymphocytes that express FasR. To overcome this challenge, Jennifer will work on designing CAR T cells with cleavable Fas receptor that can penetrate the TME without falling victim to FasL-FasR mediated T cell death, at least immediately. The ultimate goal is to develop a CAR T cell therapy that can treat solid tumors.