Evaluation of Immunotherapies - Feb 2022
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Discovery and evaluation of novel immunotherapies using blood cell-derived immune cell populations
IRAS ID
311780
Contact name
Krzysztof B. Wicher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Macomics Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The main objectives of the study are to develop novel immunotherapies to treat human diseases and to identify potential biomarkers which can be used in the clinical practice. Clinical indications being addressed include but are not limited to cancer.
Macomics develops therapeutics which modulate the immune system, in particular, a cell type called Macrophages, in the tumour microenvironment. These kinds of therapies are aimed to stimulate the human body's natural anti-tumour activities.
The use of human tissue is required for laboratory studies to discover novel biological functions, and to ensure the specificity and safety of the immunotherapies generated. Human anonymised samples will be obtained from approved commercial suppliers and will encompass fresh, frozen and fixed cells from the blood.
We will be using blood cells cultured in vitro to test the specificity, activity, and safety of developed therapies. Additionally, we will be using these cells to better understand the mode of action of developed drugs and the characteristics that govern the efficacy of the future therapies.
These kinds of experiments cannot be performed in animals models as these poorly recapitulate human cancer immune environment.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0060
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion