The development of assays to study immuno-oncology (DAIO) – V03
Research type
Research Study
Full title
In Vitro laboratory based studies of the immunological response of human white blood cells to the presence of cancer cells. With a view to investigating and modulating the immune response.
IRAS ID
206950
Contact name
Stuart Farrow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cancer Research Technology
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, months, days
Research summary
Current advances in the treatment of cancer patients by modulating the activity of the immune response have been extremely promising.
Cancer Research Technology is well placed to investigate novel interventions aimed at improving the treatment of cancer. We have close links with academic researchers in the immuno-oncology field. We are not going to do any clinical trials; this is a proof of principle project.The NHSBT collects blood platelets for patients with blood clotting problems. White blood cells are a by-product of this collection. These cells are surplus to the requirements of the NHSBT who make them available to researchers provided they have approval for their project from a REC.
We intend to use these surplus human blood cells in co-incubation studies with well-established human cancer cell lines that have been grown safely in laboratory tissue culture conditions for decades.
To this mixture of cells, we will add various control or novel antibodies, or small organic molecules, produced in our own laboratories. We will then undertake various assays to establish how these novel interventions have been able to affect the immune responses of the human white blood cells.
We will measure cell viability by various assays such as automated microscopy looking for programmed cell death (apoptosis) using fluorescent markers and dyes. Immuno assays (ELISA) will be used to measure the presence and levels of cytokines and other molecules that the white blood cells use to manage the immune system.There will be no patient data collected and the anonymised cells will not be stored. The people who provide these blood samples will not be involved in any interventions other than the donating of the sample. Consent is part of the blood donors’ agreement.
The cells will be used for in vitro laboratory based experiments.REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0036
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion