Identifying new ways of targeting the immune system to treat bone cancer
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
2017-2019
Background
The 5 year survival rate of patients with metastatic or recurrent osteosarcoma (a cancer of the bone) is less than 25%. There is an urgent need to identify new treatment options for this cancer. Recent advances in activating the immune system to target tumours have shown promise in many cancer types.
The research
Using models of osteosarcoma (a bone cancer) developed in the laboratory, Dr Kansara and her team will investigate the effectiveness of targeting a specific immune protein, both alone and in combination with chemotherapy.
The impact
Based on how the osteosarcoma responds, this will identify new strategies of targeting the immune system to treat osteosarcomas.