The imCORE Network supports research on the identification of biomarkers of response in the advanced ovarian cancer setting to provide mechanisms of resistance to combination therapy.
The supported study, which Dr Dangaj’s Tumor microenvironment & biomarker discovery group will conduct, is entitled: Biomarker identification for early response and resistance to combinatorial anti-angiogenic and ICB therapies in recurrent platinum-resistance ovarian cancer. It represents the translational research arm of a Phase II multicentre clinical trial and its objective is to identify biomarkers of response and provide mechanisms of resistance to combination therapy in the advanced ovarian cancer setting. Dr Dangaj's group is part of the Hi-TIDe (Human integrated Tumor Immunology Discovery engine) at the Department of oncology UNIL CHUV and Ludwig Lausanne branch, led by Pr George Coukos.
In May 2021, clinical trial EORTC1508 principal investigators unanimously assigned the Tumor microenvironment & biomarker discovery group as the TR laboratory for the Phase II trial. Dr Denarda Dangaj consequently submitted her proposal for the imFLAME Investigator Award from the imCORE (immunotherapy Centres of Research Excellence) network to secure funding to sponsor this translational study. The imFLAME Award, attributed on a very selective basis, was awarded to Dr Dangaj in December 2021.
ImCORE, a scientific network launched in 2016 by Roche®, brings together leading experts in cancer immunotherapy who share ideas and work together. Its membership currently counts 27 leading cancer research institutions from 10 countries across the world. These centres of excellence, together with researchers at Roche, work to identify and prioritise the most promising new treatment approaches in cancer immunotherapy.
“This unique cohort of tissues, assembled in the context of the EORTC1508 clinical trial, will shed light into the tumor microenvironment mechanisms that promote of hamper immune response to anti-angiogenetic and immune checkpoint blockade therapy.” noted Dr Dangaj.
*A phase II study of the anti-PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab, bevacizumab and acetylsalicylic acid to investigate safety and efficacy of this combination in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal adenocarcinoma. The EORTC1508's principal investigators are Pr George Coukos of the Department of oncology UNIL CHUV and Pr Susanna Banerjee of the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.