Alyssa Azani
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Yi Bao
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Michigan Center for Translational Pathology / Medicine
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Authors:
Abstract
Immunotherapies in cancer have been shown to be very effective in treating cancer. However, the amount of patients that are actually responsive to these immunotherapies are very small. This project analyzes specifically if the pharmaceutical or genetic inhibition of PIKfyve augments antitumor immunity or immunotherapies in cancers. PIKfyve inhibitors cause cell death in melanoma cells through affecting lysosomes which are needed for autophagy to proliferate. This inhibitor can be very promising as this could inhibit proliferation and act as an immunotherapy. Research into these inhibitors has not been explored as of yet, so there are no prior findings regarding the link between PIKfyve inhibitors and a possible immunotherapy. To complete this project, we are utilizing methodologies consistent with both in vivo and in vitro work. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) also are utilized which allow for heterogeneity which will initiate metastatic cancers to be studied. In addition to GEMMs, the Syngeneic Mouse Model is also used in this lab which allows for the mice to be injected with tumor tissues from mice with similar genetic background to allow for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching to occur. The tumors that occur from both models are then studied to assess responses to various drugs and their effects on CD8 positive T cells. This project aims to develop a therapeutic strategy that can overcome non responsiveness to immunotherapies and allow for a wider range of patients to use cancer immunotherapy treatments as they are so beneficial.
