Interrogation of the immune-microenvironment of T-cell malignancies

Mature T-cell leukemias/lymphomas (MaTCL) represent a heterogenous group of tumors with predominantly dismal prognoses due to limited efficacy of available treatments. Single MaTCL subtypes are rare, impeding large-volume biomaterial and data collection, and clinical studies. Therapies aimed solely at targeting the tumor cells have failed to extend MaTCL patient survival. Preliminary data from our project partners indicate that MaTCL tumors have alterations in the composition, activation status and tumor-modulating function of the immune microenvironment surrounding the malignant T cells. Our interdisciplinary ‘ImmuneT-ME’ consortium of cancer biologists, clinical hematologists, bioinformaticians and ELSA researchers (e.g. patient organizations) capitalizes on unique resources such as clinical registry linked sample repositories, in-silico machine learning tools, new high-fidelity mouse models and patient advocacy networks. We propose that a comprehensive understanding of the MaTCL immune microenvironment will facilitate the development of new prognostic biomarkers and personalized therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment.