Fundraising began in earnest in August 2008, the money raised so far has helped pay the wages of a research scientist at The Christie and helped fund the laboratory research into a trial treatment for Malignant Melanoma to the point where they are able to apply go to actual clinical trials with this in 2010.
On a basic level the science involves using the bodies own defences to attack the cancerous cells by removing the cancer killing T cells from the body, modifying them, multiplying them billions of times and reintroducing them directly to the tumour site, the staff at the Christie have isolated cells that are particularly effective in attacking Melanoma genes. This is a non invasive procedure with none of the side effects of chemo or radiotherapy. Below is the latest update we have received from the research team at The Christie regarding the work they are doing.
Immune Therapies for Melanoma – Manchester Update October 2009
Cellular therapies for melanoma are being carried out within the Departments of Medical Oncology and Surgery based at the Christie Hospital. This work is proceeding at two core levels - laboratory-based research and clinical development.
Laboratory Research
The focus of our laboratory research has been developing the methods to isolate tumour infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL). These T-cells have been used in clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the United States with impressive responses (Dr S Rosenberg’s group). In order to develop clinical trial protocols locally, we have to demonstrate that these cells can be grown in our own laboratories. To date, we have cultured T-cells from twelve or more tumour samples confirming that the technique is robust and this work will form an intrinsic part of our clinical trial application. We are also seeking to incorporate newer techniques (such as a reduced period of culture to isolate the T-cells) and these are now under test.
Aside from the isolation of T-cells with natural tumour specificity, we have tested a melanoma specific gene therapy approach also developed by Dr Rosenberg and Dr R Morgan at the NIH. This involves the genetic modification of T-cells with a receptor that endows the T-cells with specificity for the MART-1 antigen expressed by the vast majority of melanomas. When T-cells are modified using a retroviral vector encoding this receptor, they can recognise and kill tumour cells that possess the relevant MART-1 antigen but they do not kill cells which are lacking MART-1. This receptor is being used in clinical trials at the NIH and we are generating our own pre-clinical data to support clinical trial applications to start in Manchester.
Clinical Development
Our clinical development is strongly focused upon the preparation of the necessary regulatory applications for TIL trials and upon the development of a new cell processing facility. For our current T-cell trials, cell processing is being carried out in collaboration with the National Blood Service (NHSBT). However, the laboratories where this work is being performed are to be closed. Consequently, we are developing a new facility based at the Manchester Incubator using up-to-date technology to permit the production of more cell products than was possible at the current facility.
The facility is in the process of being fitted out with the necessary equipment and our hope is that the Regulatory Authorities will inspect this facility early in 2010. Assuming a satisfactory outcome, we anticipate that cell processing will begin around March, 2010. Once open, one of our key priorities is to develop the TIL technology that is currently being used at a laboratory research level to reach standards that are acceptable for British and European Legislation in order to provide TIL’s for clinical trial. To achieve this, we need to develop some novel approaches in order to satisfy current legislation and, consequently, this will take some time. However, our over-riding intention is to have a process in place and available to support clinical trial applications for the last quarter of 2010 – of course, that is dependent on as few hitches as possible! |
