Although immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, many patients still do not respond because their immune systems fail to mount strong enough anti-tumor responses. Most current immunotherapies focus primarily on activating CD8 “killer” T cells, while largely overlooking the critical supporting role of CD4 helper T cells.
Dr. Prokhnevska has spent her career studying how immune cells are activated within tumors and lymph nodes. Her earlier research identified important stem-like T cell populations that help sustain anti-tumor immunity and contributed to major discoveries in kidney, prostate, and liver cancer immunology.
Her research seeks to improve immunotherapy by activating helper CD4 T cells alongside existing treatments. Rather than relying on highly personalized tumor-specific targets, Dr. Prokhnevska proposes using memory CD4 T cells generated from common infections and vaccinations that already exist in most patients.
She will test novel antibody-based therapies designed to bring these helper T cells together with dendritic cells, the immune cells responsible for coordinating anti-cancer responses. The project will also determine how CD4 T cells strengthen CD8 T cell activity during immunotherapy. This work could lead to more broadly effective immunotherapies that harness the full power of the immune system and improve outcomes for patients who currently fail to benefit from existing treatments.
Mentor
Alice Kamphorst, PhD
Projects and Grants
Re-activation of CD4 T cells in tumors to promote immunotherapy responses
