Group Leader:
Peter Stern
I am head of the Cancer Research UK Immunology Group at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, within The University of Manchester based at the Christie Hospital. I obtained my PhD at University College, London and previously held research positions as: a staff scientist at the MRC Molecular Biology Laboratory, Cambridge; an EMBO Fellow at University of Uppsala, Sweden; a Cancer Research Campaign Fellow and Junior Research Fellow, Linacre College at University of Oxford; as Lecturer at the Medical School, University of Liverpool and as a visiting Professor at Free University of Amsterdam. My work aims to translate knowledge of human papillomavirus driven carcinogenesis or the expression and function of oncofoetal molecules (e.g. 5T4 oncotrophoblast antigen) into new cancer therapies.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Fernanda Castro
Owen McGinn
Tom Southgate
Scientific Officers
Kate Mulryan
Clinical Research Fellows
Sai Daayana
Christy Ralph
Research Students
Mariam Al-Muftah (with Medical Oncology)
Georgi Marinov
Andrzej Rutkowski (with Applied Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group)
Immunology Group
Our aim is to translate knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) driven carcinogenesis or the expression and function of 5T4 oncofoetal antigen or other tumour associated molecules into novel cancer immunotherapy. Ongoing and future work is focused on the evaluation of responses against tumour associated antigen (TAA) locally and systemically in immunotherapy clinical trial and other cancer patients. We are testing and further developing (preclinical studies, early phase clinical trials): 1) 5T4 antibody directed superantigen therapy; 2) Cancer vaccination versus HPV, 5T4 and other TAA; 3) Engineered T cells versus 5T4 antigen; 4) Combination therapies; 5) Enhancement of tumour immunity by prevention of T regulatory activity. Recently, early phase clinical trials of different HPV and cancer vaccines and a 5T4 antibody targeted therapy have been completed following work in appropriate preclinical models. We are currently using the latter to optimize the treatment protocols and evaluate combinations of vaccine and targeted therapies. Our basic studies of the 5T4 oncofoetal antigen have illuminated a possible role in the early determinative/differentiation events in preimplantation mouse development and a practical application in defining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. The 5T4 molecules appear to intimately involved in changes in cellular motility which are important in the developing embryo and which facilitate the process of metastasis in cancer
Human Papillomavirus
High-risk type HPV infection of the cervix is associated with the development of premalignant intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinoma. Knowledge of the natural history of HPV infection in cervical neoplasia has led to the development of immunological approaches to the treatment and prevention of this disease (Stern 1996; Duggan-Keen et al 1998; Stern et al 2000; Stern et al 2001; Winters et al 2006). more about the Human Papillomavirus »
The 5T4 Oncofetal Antigen
The 5T4 antigen was discovered by looking for shared surface molecules which would reflect the functional similarities between the growth and invasive properties of trophoblast, the major interfacing cell type between mother and fetus in the placenta, and tumour cells. The role of 5T4 antigen in invasion is supported by the evidence of association of 5T4 antigen expression by human tumour cells, metastatic spread and poorer clinical outcome (e.g. Mulder et al 1997; Starzynska et al 1998) as well as influencing cell adhesion, shape and motility (Carsberg et al 1996; Woods et al 2002). more on the 5T4 Oncofetal Antigen »
Immunotherapy
We have established that the 5T4 antigen is expressed by many different carcinomas but is detected at only low levels in some normal epithelia. Tumour expression of 5T4 antigen in colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancer can have prognostic significance. We are investigating the expression of the oncofetal antigen in various human malignancies as well as its potential as a tumour target for immunotherapy. The restricted adult tissue but high frequency and cell surface expression by multiple carcinoma types makes 5T4 antigen an attractive target for both antibody and cell mediated immunotherapies.
Cancer Vaccines
We have shown that attenuated recombinant vaccinia viruses (MVA) encoding human or mouse 5T4 oncofoetal antigen can induce protective immunity to challenge with human or m5T4 expressing tumour models respectively. more on vaccines »
Antibody targeted Therapies
Therapy using mAbs to tumour-associated antigens (TAA) may be enhanced by delivery of radiation, drugs or activation of the cellular arm of the immune responses. more on Antibody targeted therapies »
Lymphoma Idiotype Vaccine
The immunoglobulin 'idiotype' can be considered a tumour specific suitable specific for lymphoma immunotherapy. The challenge is to isolate and/or construct a tumour-specific idiotype vaccine. more on the Lymphome Idiotype Vaccine »