Immunotherapy, a treatment that frees the immune system to attack cancer, has produced remarkable results in some patients. But it doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why MD Anderson researchers are combining immunotherapy with other treatments, so more patients can benefit.
Annual Report 2018 : Improving T cells’ memories
Immunology student wants to improve the memories of cancer-fighting T cells
A MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences student is engineering “memory” T cells that remain in the body after cancer is gone and fight the disease should it reoccur.
From left, research assistant Natalie Miroballi and graduate student Farah Hasan examine T cells growing on a culture plate, while Junmei Wang, an instructor in Melanoma Medical Oncology Research, takes a closer look at T cells under the microscope. Photo by Wyatt McSpadden
Farah Hasan is excited about the promise of her field of immunology research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“Immunotherapy is exciting because, unlike traditional drugs, the immune system can change, similar to the way that viruses, bacteria and cancer can change to avoid being killed by treatments, so immunotherapy is closer to fighting fire with fire,” she says.
Advanced Placement Biology in high school first captured Hasan’s interest in science. She went on to major in biology for her undergraduate degree and planned to go to medical school. Then her plans changed.
“I realized that I was more interested in learning about and understanding diseases than in diagnosing and treating them,” says Hasan, now a fourth-year student in the Immunology Ph.D. degree program at the MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
“I took an introductory immunology class in college, and I took a course on vaccines that got me thinking about the practical applications of immunology,” she recounts. “The more you learn about it, the more you realize how incredibly complex the immune system is. Learning about the immune system and the interplay between it and pathogens, as well as cancer, enables scientists to develop strategies for leveraging the immune system in treating disease.”
After college Hasan worked in a vaccine and cell therapy laboratory on clinical trials of immunotherapies for cancer and HIV. She came to MD Anderson to further develop her expertise.
“One thing that struck me about MD Anderson is the collaborative atmosphere and interest in innovation and openness to new ideas,” she says. “I was drawn to the graduate program here in part because the faculty are approachable and genuinely interested in students’ development.”
Upon meeting Cassian Yee, M.D., professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Immunology and now her research advisor, and others in his lab, Hasan was immediately comfortable and thought they would work well together.
“He has a good sense of humor but also wants his trainees to be their best. I appreciate that he treats me like a colleague in training – he takes my ideas seriously and gives me the autonomy and resources to pursue them while still helping me develop and refine them. Over time this support has helped build my confidence as an independent scientist and thinker,” she says.
The lab focuses on T cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune system. These cells can be used to make a treatment called Adoptive Cellular Therapy (ACT), which involves the isolation and growth of cancer-specific T cells that are infused into patients. These T cells can go to tumor sites, kill cancer cells and potentially provide a long-lasting protective response.
“This protection against recurrence relies on the creation of ‘memory’ T cells that remain in the body long-term, even after the cancer is eliminated,” Hasan says. “If these memory cells are successfully created, the patient could, theoretically, not have to receive continuous treatment. My research focuses on making a particular kind of memory T cell that stays in the tissues to act as a frontline defender.”
More Stories From Annual Report
Lymphoma clinical trial helps entrepreneur get back to business
Getting back to business is a top priority for this entrepreneurial mom
Clinical trial combining immunotherapy, chemotherapy puts leukemia in remission
Given just weeks to live, he’s now in remission after a combination therapy
Leukemia nurse keeps clinical trials running smoothly
As a research nurse, Meghan Meyer recruits patients for clinical trials, follows their progress, and coordinates their care after studies end.
CAR T-cell therapy reengineers a young leukemia patient’s cells to eliminate cancer
CAR T-cell therapy is offering new hope to children with certain types of blood cancers who have no other remaining treatment options.
CAR T-cell therapy helps non-Hodgkins lymphoma patient achieve remission
With only six months to live, a lymphoma patient turned to CAR T-cell therapy. Now he’s in remission, back at work and running marathons.
Lymphoma and myeloma nurse helps launch CAR T-cell therapy clinical trials
Misha Hawkins is a driving force behind MD Anderson’s introduction of CAR T-cells trials for patients with lymphoma and myeloma.
Cancer survivorship program focuses on unique needs of young adults
A cancer diagnosis can impact a teen or young adult’s ability to succeed in school, make friends, or have children later in life. A newly launched program can help guide them through these and other cancer-related challenges.
From pain management to nutrition, surgical protocol quickens recovery
Patients are rebounding faster from surgery and having fewer complications thanks to a new program that improves the post-surgical experience.
Thymic carcinoma survivor: Honolulu patient recovers with help from MD Anderson Cancer Network®
A thymic carcinoma diagnosis and complicated surgery leads a Honolulu surgeon to reach out to the MD Anderson Cancer Network® for help. Read more about their collaboration here.
Cancer clinical trials made stronger by cancer network collaborations
The benefits extended to members of MD Anderson Cancer Network go beyond the clinic and include access to important cancer clinical trials.
New MD Anderson League City location makes cancer treatment more convenient
For this East Texas breast cancer survivor, being treated at MD Anderson’s League City location means less traffic, a faster commute and staff who feel like family.
Volunteer is also a caregiver to husband with multiple myeloma
Sandra Mitro serves as a caregiver for her husband who is battling cancer, so she knows what it takes to navigate the road to recovery. As a volunteer, she’s helping other families affected by cancer.
Clinical trial offers triple-negative breast cancer patients tailor-made treatments if chemotherapy fails
More than half of patients with triple-negative breast cancer don’t respond to chemotherapy. An MD Anderson clinical trial is providing these women with immunotherapy drugs and other treatments more targeted to their needs.
Clinical trial offers BRCA-positive breast cancer patients alternative to chemotherapy
A clinical trial testing a daily oral medication for BRCA-positive breast cancer patients wiped out all evidence of cancer in more than half the women who participated in the study.
Researchers strive to eliminate inequities in cancer treatment
Researchers are studying the causes of health disparities, then trying to do something about them to ensure all cancer patients get equal treatment.
Education program trains students to advocate for patients from diverse backgrounds
Students in this education and training program earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Disparities, Diversity and Advocacy. After graduation, they’re equipped to advocate for patients from all backgrounds.
Immunotherapy for lung cancer: Researchers working to broaden its reach
Immunotherapy drugs have produced promising results in cancers like melanoma and leukemia, yet the drugs only work for 20 percent of lung cancer patients. MD Anderson researchers are working to change that.
Exercise during cancer treatment helps pediatric patients regain energy
The ProFit Program matches pediatric patients at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital with college and professional athletes who engage the kids in fun sports and get them out of bed and moving.
High-risk clinics help those at genetic risk for hereditary cancers
Five percent of cancers are inherited when a faulty gene is passed from one generation to another. MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Program is home to genetic counselors, physicians and others who help those with a family history of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer patient in partial remission after experimental drug treatment
Allison Lippman was 30 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. A new drug that targets her cancer’s genetic mutation has shrunk her tumors in half.
Cancer genetics course educates nurses about hereditary cancers
Genetics was introduced in nursing school curricula only 10 years ago, when most experienced nurses had already graduated. A unique MD Anderson course is closing this knowledge gap by educating veteran nurses about the role of genetics in cancer.
Breast cancer survivor avoids chemotherapy, thanks to genomic testing
This year, about 100,000 breast cancer patients in the United States will avoid chemotherapy and the side effects associated with it. Instead, they’ll receive another treatment better suited to their cancer’s genetic profile.
Molecular Genetics Technology Program trains students to detect cancer genes
Students in this bachelor’s degree program learn to detect genetic mutations that are associated with cancer and other diseases.