Topic description

We are offering a PhD position bridging tumor immunology, biophysics of cell migration, and microfluidic engineering

A) Scientific Context and Objectives

The history of cancer immunotherapy began over a century ago with early, modest successes using host immune modulation. In the past decade, the discovery of immune checkpoints and drugs targeting them has revolutionized treatment for many cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) restore antitumor immunity suppressed by the tumor microenvironment. While ICIs are effective against “inflamed” tumors containing preactivated T cells, “cold” tumors lacking immune infiltration require alternative strategies.

Cancer vaccines can generate new tumor-reactive T cells, enhancing ICI responses or inducing immunity in non-inflamed tumors. Cellular immune amplification and epitope spreading are essential for vaccine efficacy. Clinical and preclinical studies show that therape...