Preclinical Development of Immunotherapy in Pancreatic cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of biological material for preclinical development of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer
IRAS ID
177375
Contact name
John Maher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Our goal is to develop a treatment for pancreatic cancer using white blood cells called T-cells. Normally, T-cells recognise and attack what is "foreign" (infection) but not "self" (healthy tissue). Because cancer forms from our own cells, it appears to the immune system as "self" and is often ignored. One way of making cancer recognisable to T-cells is to introduce genes into T-cells that can recognise proteins that are specifically expressed on tumour cells, but not in healthy cells. These T-cells can be expanded in the laboratory and re-infused into patients. When the T-cell recognises and binds to its target protein, it attacks and kills the cancer cell. Several clinical trials of this approach are already underway.
Our group is working to develop this immunotherapy approach to treat pancreatic cancer. To accomplish this we need to i) establish whether T-cells in patients with pancreatic cancer can be isolated and expanded in the laboratory to the numbers needed for re-infusion and ii) test whether these genetically engineered T-cells can kill tumour cells, grown in the laboratory or in mouse models. Pancreatic cancer patients will be given written information about the process of consenting (see attached participant information sheet and consent form). They will be given at least 24hrs for consideration to consent for their blood to be used in our study. If they are happy to consent, full written informed consent will be obtained once any questions have been answered. Consent will only be taken once per patient. Once consent is obtained, up to 40ml blood will be taken by qualified clinical staff. Samples will be anonymised and used accordingly. Non-used components of the samples an any T-cells remaining after completion of experiments will be disposed of in accordance with the Human Tissue Act.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1639
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion