Aims of the project
CAR T cells provide a powerful tool for targeting cancer. The patient’s own white cells are modified with a gene for Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR, Figure 1), equipping the body’s own immune system to combat cancer. The extracellular part of the receptor binds cancer cells, while the intracellular part activates the T cell, enabling the cell to effectively destroy tumor cells. Very promising early-phase results have been published in the scientific literature. The aim of these projects is to build a production and research platform for CAR T cells. 
Projects
1. Building a technical platform that allows production of CAR T-cells equipped with a 3rd generation CD19-directed CAR gene (kindly provided by prof Gianpietro Dotti, University of North Carolina, NC). Our aim is to be able to treat leukemia and lymphoma patients carrying CD19+ disease.
2. Develop novel methods for transient expression of the CAR gene on T cells, allowing for safer testing of novel CARs in patients.
3. Combine CARs with other immunomodulatory approaches directed at enhancing the anti-cancer potency of CAR T-cells. This will allow the treatment of solid cancers that have been more resistant to CAR T-cell therapy.
Research team
| 
Matti Korhonen,
MD, docent (PI) |
| Annu Luostarinen
MSci, research scientist Jan Koski,
MSci, research scientist Leena Penna,
MSci, research scientist Tiina Wahlfors, PhD, docent Pilvi Maliniemi, PhD, post-doctoral scientist Tanja Kaartinen,
PhD, research scientist Sirkka Hirschovits-Gerz,
laboratory technician
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