Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series

Modulation of Tumor Stroma to Sensitize Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy

• Chun Li, PhD
• University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Hosted by Professor Glen Kwon

Resistance to radiation therapy and immunotherapy to a large extent is mediated by hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We have taken multiple approaches to tackle these limitations with the goal to overcome these resistance mechanisms in solid tumors.

In the first approach, we have developed a polymeric micellar co-delivery system to modulation PDAC stroma to enhance immune checkpoint blockade therapy in PDAC. In the second approach, we have synthesized a poly(L-glutamic acid)-drug conjugate to target tumor associated macrophages to enhanced radiation therapy. In the third approach, we used a local ablation technique to ablate tumors to increase blood perfusion and antitumor immunotherapy.

These and other approaches towards enhancing current antitumor treatments will be discussed during the presentation.

To obtain the Webex link for this seminar, contact Debra King at Debra.King@wisc.edu.