Engineering T Cells to Stimulate Endogenous Antitumor Immunity

Explore advanced T cell engineering strategies to overcome tumor microenvironment obstacles and enhance cancer immunotherapy effectiveness in this 24-minute webinar presented by Dr. Shannon K. Oda from Seattle Children's Research Institute. Learn about innovative approaches to adoptive cell therapy (ACT) that address multiple inhibitory mechanisms preventing immune cells from effectively targeting cancer. Discover how Fas switch receptors can convert death signals into costimulatory signals, enabling T cells to overcome hypoxia barriers and significantly improve survival outcomes in cancer models. Examine the development of CD40L Dual Costimulatory Receptors (DCR) that reprogram pro-tumor macrophages into antitumor phenotypes, increasing phagocytosis of tumor cells and recruitment of beneficial immune cells. Understand the challenges posed by the inhibitory tumor microenvironment, including hypoxia, inhibitory ligands, and altered immune cell programming that supports conversion from anti- to pro-tumorigenic cell types. Gain insights into proof-of-concept in vivo testing results showing enhanced therapeutic outcomes and increased antitumor macrophage activity. Explore the potential for clinical translation of these engineering strategies and their role in developing diverse, durable antitumor immune responses that employ both innate and adaptive immunity against hematological and solid tumors.