Rik G.H. Lindeboom, PhD, Technology Impact Award Grantee The Netherlands Cancer Institute Area of Research: All Cancers Cancer treatments often rely on the body’s own immune cells, particularly T cells, to recognize and attack tumor cells. A critical part of this process is how well T cells can identify and bind to specific proteins, known as antigens, on the surface of tumor cells. Currently, it is possible to measure how different T cells interact with certain antigens, but it remains difficult to measure how all possible antigens presented by a tumor cell are recognized by T cells used in the clinic. In this proposal, Dr. Lindeboom proposes a new way to measure recognized antigens. Dr. Lindeboom plans to use a special tagging system on T cells taken from patients. This system marks all the antigens that T cells can bind to. Using a technique called mass spectrometry, he can then identify the antigens and measure how tightly and quickly these T cells attach to each antigen. This will help them understand not just if a T cell can bind to an antigen, but also how strong that interaction is. In this proposal, Dr. Lindeboom will test this new method on T cells that are already being used in cancer treatments, as well as on T cells that directly invade tumors. His goal is to discover which antigens are the best targets for therapy, potentially leading to safer and more effective cancer treatments. This could also open the door to new types of cancer vaccines and T cell therapies. By knowing more about how T cells recognize tumor cells, we can better guide the immune system to fight cancer. Projects and Grants Proximity labeling for profiling immune-tumor cell interactions The Netherlands Cancer Institute | All Cancers | 2024
