Two steps for immunotherapy for prostate cancer

Investigator: Eugene Kwon, M.D.

"We look forward to developing our insights into more effective therapies for patients with widespread prostate cancer."
Eugene Kwon, M.D.

Dr. Kwon is working on a two-step immunotherapy in which researchers first use hormone therapy to prime, or initiate an immune response that activates T-cells and guides them to the tumor site. Controlling T-cells is important because they are the warriors of the immune system that can kill cancer cells. In step two, they prolong the T-cell fighting capability by using the anti-CTLA4 antibody that Dr. Kwon's group has studied for several years in laboratory experiments. The anti-CTLA4 antibody works by blocking the T-cell off-switch receptor.

Dr. Kwon is encouraged by the international attention and scientific response the two-step immunotherapy project has received. He is optimistic that it will provoke a stronger, more focused immune response against prostate tumors than was possible before. And he is pleased with the steady progress of his group's research on this topic.

In addition to prostate cancer, his lab works on discovering new treatments for bladder and kidney cancers. Basic science work includes investigations of the fundamental mechanisms of the T-cell homing response to the prostate, as well as the role of hormones altering T-cell reactivity.