Using the immune response to target glioblastoma
Fast facts
- Title: Manipulating T-cell immune responses in order to improve anti-Glioblastoma immunity
- Lead Researcher: Dr Mathew Clement
- Where: Cardiff University
- When: August 2024 – July 2027
- Cost: £225,000 over 3 years
- Research type: Glioblastoma, immunotherapy
- Grant round: Future Leaders
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common high-grade primary brain tumour in adults, and often comes back after treatment. Current treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation aren’t enough, so we need new approaches. One promising area is immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. However, these treatments often can’t reach the brain due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
What is it?
Dr Mathew Clement’s research has shown that a substance called Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is produced in large amounts in GBM. Interleukins are proteins that play an important role in communication between cells in our immune system. IL-10 normally calms the immune system, but in GBM, it may actually be helping the cancer cells to grow by stopping the immune system from attacking them. By blocking IL-10 with antibodies, Dr Clement believes this could allow the immune system to fight the cancer. He is also exploring new ways to get these antibodies into the brain, such as modifying the antibodies to cross the BBB or using special sponges that deliver the antibodies directly to the brain.
Why is it important?
Current treatments for GBM often don’t stop the tumour from recurring, because the tumour is made up of different types of cells. This research could help develop clearer treatments for GBM.
New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for GBM patients. This study aims to address the lack of GBM treatments focussing on removing the immunosuppressive environment within the tumour.
Dr Mathew Clement
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In this section
Dr. Mathew Clement
Mat is a postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine at Cardiff University. He studies the role of immune cells, particularly T-cells, in Glioblastoma. Mat’s research will focus on testing whether IL-10 represents an effective target for intervention. He aims to find out if blocking IL-10 with antibodies may unleash effective immune responses capable of killing GBM cells. Mat will also be aiming to identify new treatments for glioblastoma that can be administered non-invasively or during surgery.