Immunomodulation and Tumor Microenvironment
"The tumor microenvironment blocks the action of the immune system. We have developed strategies to arm lymphocytes with mechanisms to overcome these effects and exert enhanced antitumor activity."
DR. JUAN JOSÉ LASARTE SENIOR RESEARCHER. IMMUNOMODULATION AND TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP
The Immunomodulation and Tumor Microenvironment Group at Cima, integrated in the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra, seeks to develop antitumor therapies through the identification of small molecules capable of blocking the activity of immunosuppressive cells, especially CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (nTreg). These cells play an essential role in the control of the immune system and autoimmune diseases. However, their activity is a brake on the activation of antitumor immune responses.
On the other hand, immunotherapy based on adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes has shown very promising results in some types of tumors, achieving long-lasting antitumor responses. These strategies, however, are not effective in other types of tumors, where the tumor microenvironment is highly immunosuppressive.
Our group is working on the search for strategies to increase the efficacy of adoptive transfer by gene modification of T lymphocytes, using chimeric immunostimulatory receptors (CARs) and elements to combat this immunosuppressive tumor environment.
Our group coordinates the SOCRATHeS Project (Strategic Development of CAR-T therapies for the treatment of Hematological and Solid Tumors), funded by the Government of Navarra, with the participation of CIMA, two hospitals (the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and the Complejo Hospital
Dr. Juan José Lasarte
GROUP LEADER
| +34 948 194 700 | Ext. 81 3006 | |
| jjlasarte@unav.es | |
| Research profile |
Oncology research integrated in the
Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Objectives of the Research Group in
Immunomodulation and Tumor Microenvironment
Improving the antitumor efficacy of immunotherapy based on adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes in different tumor types
Study of tumor-induced immunosuppressive mechanisms.
Identification and in vivo validation of small molecules that block Treg cell activity for the development of antitumor therapies.
Design of alternatives
to increase the efficacy of CAR-T cell
CAR-T cell therapy.
FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE CLINIC
Immunotherapeutic molecules
Our group has identified inhibitory peptides of the transcription factor Foxp3 that block the action of regulatory T cells and even potentiate the function of effector CD4 T lymphocytes.
Their in vivo utility in different immunotherapy models is currently being analyzed.
Meet the research team
Scientific activity of the
Research Group on Immunomodulation and Tumoral Microenvironment
Latest scientific publications
- Foxp3 inhibitory peptide encapsulated in a novel CD25-targeted nanoliposome promotes efficient tumor regression in mice Jul 29, 2024 | Magazine: Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
- Targeting FOXP3 Tumor-Intrinsic Effects Using Adenoviral Vectors in Experimental Breast Cancer Aug 25, 2023 | Magazine: Viruses
- The transcriptional regulator Sin3A balances IL-17A and Foxp3 expression in primary CD4 T cells May 4, 2023 | Magazine: EMBO Reports
- Improvement of cognitive function in wild-type and Alzheimer´s disease mouse models by theimmunomodulatory properties of menthol inhalation or depletion of T regulatory cells Apr 27, 2023 | Magazine: Frontiers in Immunology