Kate Amato Foundation Awarded Projects
Identification of Genes Regulating NKT cell Anti-tumor Activity using a CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis Screen
Project Goal: To further improve natural killer T cell anti-tumor activity through identifying genes that regulate cell persistence in unbiased, systematic way.
Institution: Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Cancer Center
Researchers: Gengwen Tian, MD, PhD
Year Awarded: 2022
Type of Childhood Cancer: Neuroblastoma
Project Description:
High risk Neuroblastoma is difficult to treat thus novel therapy is much needed. Immunotherapy using engineered T cells has achieved incredible results when treating leukemia and lymphoma; however, the anti-tumor activity is limited when using engineered T cells to treat solid tumors, including neuroblastoma. Engineered natural killer T cells recently showed promising result when used to treat neuroblastoma, and we found that the cell persistence directly correlates with anti-tumor response. Thus, we want to further improve natural killer T cell anti-tumor activity through identifying genes that regulate cell persistence in unbiased, systematic way.
