Chudnovskiy lab

Tumour-Immune Communication Laboratory

Tumours are continually interacting with their surrounding immune system. This is a key target of current immunotherapies, which are designed to restore the immune system's ability to destroy cancer cells. Despite advances, not all patients respond to existing treatments, indicating a pressing need for new therapeutic options.
 
Our lab focuses on three principal questions within the scope of tumour-immune communication. The first is to determine how tumour cells lead to the exhaustion of immune cells, effectively dampening the anti-tumour immune response.

The second question explores how tumour cells evolve and adapt to evade destruction by the immune system. The third area of investigation examines how tumours take control of certain signals within the immune system, leading to a shift from attacking the tumour to tolerating it.
 
Addressing these questions requires a direct examination of cellular interactions. To achieve this, we utilise advanced cell labelling techniques that allow us to record cell interaction histories and employ contemporary genetic tools to dissect these interactions at a molecular level.

Our research aims to provide comprehensive insights into tumour-immune communication, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the development of more effective cancer immunotherapies.