SEATTLE AND NEW ORLEANS - Dr. Philip Greenberg , head of immunology and a member of the Clinical Research Division at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and a leader in cancer immunology, will describe how he and colleagues are genetically engineering T cells to seek out cancer cells, penetrate their defenses and kill them.
In a presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2016 in New Orleans, he also will provide a preview of next-generation strategies and upcoming clinical trials for a variety of cancers. The presentation will be from 10:55 to 11:20 a.m. CDT April 20 as part of a symposium on the function of T cells and their therapeutic application in cancer.
T cells are white blood cells that attack abnormal cells in our bodies, including those infected by viruses and other foreign invaders. T cells can also target cancer cells, but they sometimes fail to recognize cancer cells as the enemy. Many cancer cells produce proteins that suppress nearby T cell activity, rendering the immune response futile.
Among Greenberg's topics will be:
Greenberg is a founder of and consultant to Juno Therapeutics . He is a stockholder in the company and he receives grant and research support from it. Juno Therapeutics was initially formed on technology from researchers at Fred Hutch, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Seattle Children's Research Institute to commercialize promising immunotherapies.
###
Editor's note: For researcher bios, photos and more, please visit fredhutch.org/media .
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer with minimal side effects. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first and largest cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Private contributions are essential for enabling Fred Hutch scientists to explore novel research opportunities that lead to important medical breakthroughs. For more information visit fredhutch.org or follow Fred Hutch on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .