2001 American Brain Tumor Association
Research Fellow

Research Title: Telomerase Vaccination for Therapy of Brian Tumors

It may be possible to treat central nervous system (CNS) tumors by inducing protective immunity using dendritic cell vaccines. The proposed experiments examine whether vaccination against telomerase using RNA transfected dendritic cells will generate a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response and result in protective immunity against tumors implanted in the brain. We will also test methods of augmenting the antitumor response elicited by telomerase vaccination and will examine vaccinated mice for potential adverse effects of autoimmunity. The goal of this research is to develop a therapy of CNS tumors using dendritic cell vaccines that have potential for being of benefit in treating human disease.