Lindsey Draper, MD

More effective immunotherapies are needed to treat advanced ovarian cancer. While most types of ovarian cancer do not respond well to immunotherapy, the presence of immune cells in ovarian tumors correlates with longer patient survival. A subset of these cells, known as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), specifically recognize tumors. However, ovarian TIL are unable to eradicate cancer due to mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and TIL exhaustion. Dr. Draper proposes genetically reprogramming ovarian TIL to better recognize and kill tumors by introducing gene fusions that may enhance TIL persistence in the harsh tumor environment. These potent genetic enhancements will be delivered by a virus engineered to only infect TIL that target tumors, while ignoring bystander TIL that may recognize viruses, healthy human tissues, or other non-cancer targets, thus offering the potential for a safe and effective novel immunotherapeutic for patients with ovarian cancer and other immunotherapy-resistant malignancies.