Combined cancer therapy with NKT cell activation and oncolytic viruses

Ovarian and pancreatic cancers are deadly diseases that do not respond well to existing treatments. The development of new therapies to target these, and other cancers, is urgently needed. One promising approach is to boost the power of the immune system to target cancer cells. The immune system is a natural defense network made up of special cells and proteins in the blood and tissues. This system normally works to detect and kill abnormal or damaged cells. However, abnormal cells sometimes gain advantages that allow them to avoid or overwhelm the immune system, resulting in the generation of harmful tumors. Dr. Johnston's team studies a group of immune cells called natural killer T (NKT) cells. These cells can be stimulated to enhance detection and killing of cancer cells. However, it is likely that combining NKT cell activation with other therapies will result in even better tumor clearance. In this project, Dr. Johnston will examine whether viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells can be used in combination with NKT cell activation therapies to boost the immune system and target ovarian and pancreatic cancers. This work could lead to new treatments that target these lethal cancers.