Gene engineering of the tumor microenvironment to induce sustained anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients

The aim of this project is to develop a new treatment for cancer based on a gene engineering vaccine.

The field of gene engineering vaccines gained attention during the pandemic as the most versatile and well-functioning vaccines against the corona virus, but most data are obtained in cancer. There are currently two approved drugs but only for immune sensitive patients.

We are building tumor microenvironment (TME) gene engineering vectors to inflame the tumor stroma, thereby utilizing the tumor itself as a vaccine component and adding the adjuvant in the surrounding tissue. The goal is that both immune sensitive and resistant patients will respond to this treatment.

We have preliminary data in pancreatic cancer that TME gene engineering is effective.The project is performed by the Loskog group at Uppsala University with previous experience from developing gene engineering vectors from laboratory and into clinical trials. Hence, a network with researchers and clinicians is established.

The project will run over four years starting from a data-driven selection of gene vectors from an existing vector library and ending with a lead-candidate for future clinical trials.

The gene vectors are tested in vitro using TME modeling and read outs are performed using well-known techniques such as flow cytometry, PCR, and multiplex protein analyses to simplify screening of multiple vectors. The most promising candidate will be tested in vivo to confirm safety, mechanisms, and efficacy.