Applied and Translational Onco-Immunology
“Advancing the design of cancer immunotherapy clinical trials based on mechanism hypotheses tested in preclinical models.”
DR. MIGUEL FERNÁNDEZ DE SANMAMED GUTIÉRREZ RESEARCHER. APPLIED AND TRANSLATIONAL ONCO-IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
From the group, integrated in the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra, we pay special attention to cutaneous and thoracic tumors. Our aim is to identify mechanisms of acquired resistance to first generation immunotherapies in these diseases and to develop new immunotherapy strategies adapted to the resistance mechanisms of each patient.
To achieve our goals we utilize the group effort of clinicians and researchers, the ability to establish humanized patient-derived models, local expertise and technology to analyze the immune microenvironment of tumors, as well as the connection with industry and other protein engineering experts to establish and optimize new immunotherapy strategies and eventually transformative clinical trials in skin and lung cancer.
Dr. Miguel Fernández
de Sanmamed
GROUP LEADER
| +34 948 194 700 | Ext. 81 2009 | |
| msanmamed@unav.es | |
| Research profile |
Oncology research integrated in the
Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Objectives of the Applied and Translational Onco-Immunology Research Group
The fundamental objectives of the group are to recreate the complexity of the immune system-tumor interaction of patients in preclinical models in order to understand the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy drugs, and from this knowledge to develop effective combinations for different patient scenarios.
To develop new humanized models in cancer immunotherapy.
Development of new immunomodulation strategies.
To develop transformational clinical trials in lung cancer based on mechanism hypotheses.
In recent years we have successfully developed different humanized models and have managed to improve some of the most important limitations. This has been transformed into high impact publications, as well as numerous research projects that have been funded in public and private competitive calls.
Lines of research
To identify mechanisms of acquired resistance to therapies that block the PD1/PD-L1 axis and develop effective combinations to reverse them.
Objectives:
- Implement humanized models for the study of resistance mechanisms in cancer immunotherapy.
- To explore combinations with therapies targeting the CXCR/IL-8 pathway and CD137 co-stimulation.
Implementation of humanized models to study strategies targeting regulatory T cells (Treg).
Objectives:
- Test the relevance of Treg in a human microenvironment.
- To test the efficacy of Treg-targeted therapies in different immune microenvironments and the best combination with other strategies according to the starting immune microenvironment.
Study of the mechanisms of action and resistance of bispecific compounds.
Objectives:
- Test the efficacy and mechanisms of action of antiPD1/LAG-3 and antiPD1/TIM3 monoclonal Ac.
- To study the additive or synergistic effect of these two therapies with each other or combined with an antiPD-L1 agent.
Meet the research team
Scientific activity of the Applied and Translational
Onco-Immunology research group
Latest scientific publications
- MHC class I and II-deficient humanized mice are suitable tools to test the long-term antitumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell engagers Sep 6, 2024 | Magazine: Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer
- Short-term cultured tumor fragments to study immunotherapy combinations based on CD137 (4-1BB) agonism Jul 9, 2024 | Magazine: Oncoimmunology
- A first-in-human study of the fibroblast activation protein-targeted, 4-1BB agonist RO7122290 in patients with advanced solid tumors May 10, 2023 | Magazine: Science Translational Medicine
- mRNAs encoding IL-12 and a decoy-resistant variant of IL-18 synergize to engineer T cells for efficacious intratumoral adoptive immunotherapy Mar 17, 2023 | Magazine: Cell Reports. Medicine