Regulation of T lymphocyte function in tumors
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Group Leader Pierre van der Bruggen Contact Pierre van der Bruggen de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research LICR - B1.74.03, Avenue Hippocrate 74, B-1200 Brussels phone (direct) : 32 (0)2 764 74 31 fax : 32 (0)2 792 94 05 e-mail: Pierre van der Bruggen Group members > |
Research topics
The analysis of the T cell responses of melanoma patients vaccinated against tumor antigens has led to consider the possibility that the limiting factor for therapeutic success is not the intensity of the anti-vaccine response but the degree of anergy presented by intratumoral lymphocytes. We try to understand why tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are unable to kill tumor cells, and to find strategies to overcome this blockage. We have discovered a new type of anergy of human tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, apparently due to the presence of galectin-3, a lectin abundant in tumors, as it is corrected by galectin ligands. We are further analyzing the mechanisms by which galectin ligands reverse the impaired function and we look for agents that correct this function. We intend to set up clinical trials combining anti-tumoral therapeutic vaccination and injection of galectin ligands.
1. Previous work in our group: Identification of tumor antigens recognized by T cells
2. A mechanism causing anergy of CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes
Selected publications
Demotte N, Wieërs G, Van Der Smissen P, Moser M, Schmidt CW, Thielemans K, Squifflet J-L, Weynand B, Carrasco J, Lurquin C, Courtoy PJ, van der Bruggen P.
A galectin-3 ligand corrects the impaired function of human CD4 and CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and favors tumor rejection in mice.
Cancer Research. 2010 Oct 1;70(19): 7476-7488
Demotte N, Stroobant V, Courtoy PJ, Van der Smissen P, Colau D, Luescher IF, Hivroz C, Nicaise J, Squifflet J-L, Mourad M, Godelaine D, Boon T, van der Bruggen P.
Restoring the association of the T cell receptor with CD8 reverses anergy in human tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Immunity, 2008 Mar;28(3): 414-424
