Gamma-delta T cells as immunotherapy against mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer in the pleural cavity with no effective cure. Exposure to asbestos found in construction materials is the leading cause,and diagnosis is usually at late stage, where surgical partial removal of tumour is the only option. Therefore, a new type of therapy is highly sought. In this study, we aim to develop a new immune-based therapy against mesothelioma. One type of immune cell, gamma-delta T cells has shown effectivenessagainst a wide range of cancers including kidney, liver, and in our data, nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC). In our preliminary results, we found that these cells are not only efficient in killing NPC but also highly motile and tumour-invasive. To investigate if gamma-delta T cells is promising, we aim to establish a cell culture system to expand the gamma-delta T cells and test its killing effect. Moreover, we will analyze and determine the factorsfor mesothelioma cells to be susceptible. Lastly, we will establish a mesothelioma mouse model to test the effect of gamma-delta T cells in vivo in addition to the use of anti-PD1 therapy. Overall, the data generated will substantiate the potential of gamma-delta T cells as a new type of anti-mesothelioma immunotherapy.