LSI Challenge: Health
 

This research focuses on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a cutting-edge cancer therapy that combines antibodies targeting cancer cells with potent drugs to destroy them. While highly effective, ADCs can interact with the immune system, causing the drug to be released within immune cells instead of cancer cells, leading to severe side effects. This PhD project is being carried out by Órla Cremen under the supervision of Dr Neil Conlon and Dr Denis Collins and funded by an LSI Educational Trust scholarship.

This project investigates the mechanisms behind these immune interactions and explores the potential of immune-modulating drugs to reduce these adverse effects while maintaining ADC efficacy. Using blood samples from healthy donors, as well as co-cultures of immune and cancer cells, the research will examine how immune cells absorb ADCs and assess changes in both immune and cancer cell activity.

This work aims to deliver crucial insights into optimising ADC treatments, enhancing their safety and effectiveness for cancer patients.