Scientists are currently exploring powerful new treatments called "bispecific antibodies”, a type of immunotherapy that acts like a bridge, connecting the patient's own immune system to cancer cells to destroy them. While these treatments hold great promise, they can cause severe side effects if they accidentally attack healthy cells instead of the tumour.
To address this challenge, Dr Sam Au from Imperial College London has developed a new laboratory tool called a "microfluidic avidity" platform.
This technology allows researchers to test how strongly immune cells bind to cancer cells in a controlled environment that mimics the human body. In this project funded by an Idea Grant, the researchers will use this tool to screen potential treatments, including a new type of antibody designed to stick to the tumour's internal structure (collagen) to keep the medicine focused specifically on the cancer.
What are the aims of this research project?
The primary aim of the project is to use this unique laboratory tool to identify the best possible treatments for Ewing sarcoma before they are tested in patients.The researchers will:
- test whether the tool can accurately predict how well different antibodies help immune cells kill Ewing sarcoma tumours
- evaluate a newly designed antibody that binds to collagen (a protein resent in tumors) to see if this design improves the treatment's ability to target cancer cells while avoiding healthy ones.
How could this project improve treatment options for Ewing sarcoma patients?
Developing new cancer drugs is a
slow process, and many promising treatments fail in clinical trials because
they are too toxic or ineffective. This project
aims to evaluate whether the microfluidic avidity platform can identify the
best antibodies early during laboratory development. By quickly identifying the safest and most effective options,
we can prevent patients from being exposed to treatments that won't work and
accelerate the development of kinder, more targeted therapies that improve
outcomes and quality of life for those with Ewing sarcoma.
This project is funded with generous support from the MIVA Foundation.
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