Veronica Hekiert

Using existing antibody targets as a basis, what solid tumor-specific cell surface proteins are viable candidates for novel CAR-T therapies?

Started June 20, 2025

Abstract or project description

The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate solid tumor-specific cell surface proteins that are viable candidates for novel Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies. Using publicly available datasets such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Human Protein Atlas, the study will investigate which surface or extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are overexpressed in a tumor cell versus a normal cell. Such proteins will be identified by utilizing the Proteomic Data Commons published by the National Cancer Institute; the data will be downloaded and basic search functions will be applied to it through Python to screen the cancers. Once a suitable, overexpressed, protein is identified the study will also check for any already existing antibodies for that protein, which could help speed up the development of the CAR-T therapy. Overall, the study could help expand CAR-T therapy beyond blood cancers and bring it closer to being an effective option for solid tumors.