The SU2C–Lustgarten Foundation Convergence Research Team is investigating why a small group of pancreatic cancer patients survive for many years after diagnosis, and developing tools to devise new cancer vaccines that will turn all pancreatic cancer patients into long term survivors.
The SU2C–Lustgarten Foundation Convergence Research Team is exploring the underpinnings of pancreatic survivorship. By looking at a few individuals who survive pancreatic cancer for long periods of time (5-12 years), the team has identified an initial set of high-quality neoantigens, or protein tags, on cancer cells that the immune system recognizes.
In this project, researchers are using artificial intelligence computational approaches to understand what makes a neoantigen high-quality and how the microbiome influences how the immune system recognizes it The goal is to develop a method for creating vaccines to treat pancreatic cancers. If successful, this research will have a significant impact on understanding neoantigen T-cell immunobiology and could improve the treatment prospects of pancreatic cancer patients.
The top scientists and researchers on the SU2C–Lustgarten Foundation Convergence Research Team come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, which leads them to great insights upon collaboration. Learn more about the SU2C–Lustgarten Foundation Convergence Research Team.
Team Members
Stand Up To Cancer’s research projects are designed to foster collaborative, swift translational research. The hallmarks of these efforts include rigorous application and selection procedures, sufficient funding to allow scientists to focus on the objectives of the grant, and six-monthly reviews by senior scientists. These reviews help the investigators capitalize on the latest findings, address potential roadblocks, and collaboratively evolve as the science requires. Please click on the link to see summaries of research results so far for the Computational Deconstruction of Neoantigen TCR Degeneracy for Cancer Immunotherapy Team.
Cancer clinical trials allow researchers to study innovative and potentially life-saving new treatments. The goal is to find treatments that are better than what’s currently available; in fact, the therapies offered to today’s cancer patients were almost all studied and made possible by people participating in clinical trials. But many cancer clinical trials aren’t completed because not enough people take part.
At StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials, you’ll find information and answers to common questions about clinical trials. Learn more and talk to your doctor to see if a clinical trial may be the best choice for you.
You can also connect with EmergingMed, a free and confidential clinical trial matching service that provides access to a vast database to help you identify the clinical trials that might be right for you or your loved one.
