TrojanDC SIGNED

Project "TrojanDC" data sheet

The following table provides information about the project.

 Partnership

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 Project objective

An important hallmark of cancer is the ability to evade the immune system. Genetic mutations in tumor cells result in the accumulation of tumor antigens (TAs), however, increased cell heterogeneity, downregulation of antigen presentation or inhibition of immune cell infiltration allows immune surveillance evasion. For the first time, direct cell reprogramming offers exciting opportunities to overcome these challenges. My group has recently identified a combination of transcription factors (TFs) sufficient to reprogram mouse fibroblasts into antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs), providing a new strategy to set in motion antigen-specific immune responses. I hypothesize that a similar combination reprograms tumor cells into antigen presenting cells (APCs). This proposal aims to test a cancer immunotherapy concept based on DC reprogramming and endowed APC function in tumor cells. The work will proceed in three steps. First, I will define optimal TF combinations and external cues to efficiently reprogram human fibroblasts into DCs employing an innovative single-cell screen. Then, I will reprogram mouse and human tumor cells into tumor-APCs followed by characterization of transcriptome, chromatin accessibility, surface peptidome and ability to present antigens to T cells. Finally, I will test whether reprogrammed cells mount an attack against tumors in mouse models. I will further test the hypothesis that intratumoral delivery of reprogramming factors elicits in vivo antigen presentation, immune cell recruitment and tumor regression. The approach proposed here will combine DCs’ antigen processing and presenting abilities with the endogenous generation of TAs. The induction of DC identity in cancer cells with ability to present a constellation of TAs will open new research and therapeutic avenues. This project represents a pioneering contribution by merging cell reprogramming and cancer immunotherapy, paving the way for an entirely new approach to cancer gene therapy.