Immune cells from immunocompetent patients can infiltrate the tumour and kill cancer cells. Immune infiltration is closely related to clinical outcomes. The more severe the cancer, the more the tumour can “hide” from the immune system. Modelling the interaction between immune cells and the tumour would allow us to better understand what goes wrong, and test new therapies. In the image shown (the tumour marked in green and immune cells in red), we were able to model this interaction. This was done by co-culturing 3D breast cancer tumours with immune cells. In our lab, we are testing the effect of new therapies on the immune infiltration into the tumour, aiming to enhance patients’ outcomes.

School of Applied Sciences

Melanie S. Flint