The specific recognition of tumor antigens by CD8+ T cells, and the binding of monoclonal antibodies totumor targets represent the main effector mechanisms for immune-mediated tumor rejection. Theexquisite specificity of these interactions has earned cancer immunotherapy the designation as atargeted therapy. Excitement in this area was reinforced by the FDA approval of several monoclonalantibodies, such as Herceptin for breast cancer and Rituxan for lymphoma, as well as two cytokines,interleukin-2 and interferon-a, for the treatment of melanoma and kidney cancer. In addition, allogeneicbone marrow transplantation has therapeutic effects through a cell-mediated graft-versus-tumorimmune response. However, the efficacy of these therapies is still suboptimal. Improving upon theeffectiveness of current agents, developing new immunotherapeutic interventions (such as anti-cancervaccines), and elucidating the mechanism of success versus failure of investigational treatments, allrequire careful monitoring of scientific endpoints.The main purpose of the Human Immunologic Monitoring Facility is to perform such assays in thecontext of clinical trials in cancer patients. As such, it serves as a specialized laboratory for evaluatingpharmacodynamic parameters in response to agents or interventions that impact on immune cells. Thisservice enables a range of clinical cancer researchers, who don't necessarily have laboratory expertisethemselves, to measure immunologic endpoints in participating study subjects. The Facility alsomonitors biologic effects of other pharmacologic agents (such as signal transduction inhibitors) usinglymphocytes or other hematopoietic cells as a surrogate tissue. Finally, the technologists of our Coreinterface with the cGMP Facility to carry out the preparation of clinical-grade products, such as cancervaccines, for administration to patients. Thus, this Facility lies at the heart of our clinical/translationaleffort in cancer immunotherapy, and is vital for the scientific investigation of additional novel agents.
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