Our Unit focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer immune escape in order to design next-generation cancer immunotherapies. For example, we have developed a novel strategy based on the secretion of bispecific T cell-engaging antibodies by engineered human T (STAb-T) cells, which has been shown to be effective in solid and haematological malignancies and is currently being tested in clinical trials. The Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit has several research areas of interest: 1) reactivation of tumour-specific endogenous T cells; 2) development of tumour-reactive “artificial” T cells; and 3) development of multi-targeting approaches recognising extra- and intracellular tumour antigens. Our group also has a strong interest in the generation of multi-specific antibodies and the use of engineered mRNA-based delivery systems. Finally, our Unit is firmly committed to introducing new immuno-oncology drugs and adoptive cell therapies in the clinic, to provide high-quality personalised treatments.
Luis Álvarez-Vallina Head of Clinical Research Unit
T +34 (+34) 917 328 000 (Ext 2950)
lalvarezv@ext.cnio.es
T +34 (+34) 917 328 000 (Ext 2950)
lalvarezv@ext.cnio.es
Research Scientists
- Belén Blanco
- Anais Jiménez
Post-Doctoral Fellows
- Rodrigo Lázaro
- Ángel Ramírez
- Antonio Tapia
- Ivana Zagorac
Graduate Students
- Francisco Javier Arroyo
- Laura Díez
- Carmen Domínguez
- Eva García
- Marina Gómez
- Susana Luengo
- Laura Rubio
- Alejandro Segura
- Miriam Velasco
Technicians
- María de la Yedra Pacheco
Publications
- (2023). When three is not a crowd: trispecific antibodies for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.. Theranostics 13, 1028-1041. CNIO Publication.
- (2023). Bi- and trispecific immune cell engagers for immunotherapy of hematological malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 16, 83. CNIO Publication.
- (2023). A PD-L1/EGFR bispecific antibody combines immune checkpoint blockade and direct anti-cancer action for an enhanced anti-tumor response.. Oncoimmunology 12, 2205336. CNIO Publication.
- (2023). Dendritic Cell-Mediated Cross-Priming by a Bispecific Neutralizing Antibody Boosts Cytotoxic T Cell Responses and Protects Mice against SARS-CoV-2.. Adv Sci (in press). CNIO Publication.
- (2022). Overcoming CAR-mediated CD19 downmodulation and leukemia relapse with T lymphocytes secreting anti-CD19 T cell engagers.. Cancer Immunol Res 10, 498-511. Publication in other institutions.
- (2022). Efficient treatment of cortical T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with T lymphocytes secreting anti-CD1a T cell engagers.. J Immunother Cancer 10, e005333. CNIO Publication.
- (2022). Synapse topology and downmodulation events are determinant for the functional outcome of anti-CD19 T cell-redirecting strategies.. Oncoimmunology 11, 2054106. Publication in other institutions.
- (2022). Trispecific T-cell engagers for dual tumor-targeting of colorectal cancer. Oncoimmunology 11, 2034355. Publication in other institutions.
- (2021). P32-specific CAR T cells with dual antitumor and antiangiogenic therapeutic potential in gliomas.. Nat Commun 12, 3615. Publication in other institutions.
Open Access - (2021). Bispecific Immunomodulatory Antibodies for Cancer Immunotherapy.. Clin Cancer Res 27, 5457-5464. Publication in other institutions.
- (2021). An Fc-free EGFR-specific 4-1BB-agonistic Trimerbody Displays Broad Antitumor Activity in Humanized Murine Cancer Models without Toxicity. Clin Cancer Res 27, 3167-3177. CNIO Publication.
- (2021). Synthetic TILs: Engineered Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes With Improved Therapeutic Potential.. Front Oncol 10, 593848. Publication in other institutions.
- (2021). Programmable half-life and anti-tumour effects of bispecific T-cell engager-albumin fusions with tuned FcRn affinity. Commun Biol 4, 310. Publication in other institutions.
- (2019). T Cell-Redirecting Strategies to ‘STAb’ Tumors: Beyond CARs and Bispecific Antibodies.. Trends Immunol 40, 243-257. Publication in other institutions.
- (2019). The correlation between immune subtypes and consensus molecular subtypes in colorectal cancer identifies novel tumour microenvironment profiles, with prognostic and therapeutic implications.. Eur J Cancer 123, 118-129. CNIO Publication.
- (2018). A tumor-targeted trimeric 4-1BB-agonistic antibody induces potent anti-tumor immunity without systemic toxicity. Nat Commun 9, 4809. CNIO Publication. Open Access
- (2018). Bispecific light T-cell engagers for gene-based immunotherapy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive malignancies. Cancer Immunol Immun 67, 1251-1260. Publication in other institutions.
