Project details

Immunotherapies have revolutionised cancer therapy. Yet, despite clinical success, only a minority of patients treated show long-term clinical benefit and many malignancies remain to be targeted. Current immunotherapies block inhibitory pathways in tumour-resident T cells; however, interest in manipulating other immune populations is growing. We recently uncovered a novel approach to target immunosuppressive FOXP3+ regulatory (Treg) cells. 

This project will utilise unique pre-clinical models and patient cancer tissues to build on our discoveries targeting cell death processes in Treg cells and establish which cancers are best suited for a potential new immunotherapy. We will couple high-throughput multi-parameter cytometry and imaging approaches to uncover immune signatures that best predict responses.

About our research group

Our laboratory investigates how the molecular control of cell death processes shape immune cell homeostasis, function and malignancy. We have a particular interest in FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, which govern many immune responses. Our recent discoveries point to critical distinctions in the regulation of cell survival processes in Treg cells, offering the possibility to control their function in inflammatory and cancer settings. 

Background work includes: Teh, Preston, et al Science Immunology 2022 7(69):eabn8041; Teh, et al Cell Death & Differentiation 2020 27(7); Teh*, Robbins* et al Cell Death Differ. 2020 doi: 10.1038/s41418-020-0585-1; Pierson et al., Nature Immunology. 2013 13(9).