Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Oesophageal, Gastric, Pancreatic Cancer, Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy
Cancer Immunology
Cancer ImmunologyImmunotherapyImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsT CellsNK CellsOesophageal CancerGastric CancerPancreatic CancerTumour MicroenvironmentChemotherapyRadiotherapyImmunometabolismCachexiaSarcopenia
Team/Members of the group:
Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group
Close collaborators:
Main Funders:
Health Research Board, Science Foundation Ireland, Irish Research Council, Breakthrough Cancer Research, Irish Cancer Society, CROSS Cancer Research
Active research programmes:
Dr Lysaght's research group focuses on a number of different areas around the central theme of T cells in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. The majority of research is focused on upper gastrointestinal cancer, particularly oesophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. Currently, a major research focus of the group is investigating the impact and scheduling of combination chemotherapy/radiotherapy with immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors). We are also investigating the immune-independent effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The crucial role of the tumour microenvironment and immunometabolism on anti-tumour T cell responses is also a central research focus of the group. Research into how the regulation and trafficking of lymphocytes (T and NK cells) can be targeted as a cancer therapeutic is also being investigated. Other areas of interest include identifying novel immunotherapeutic targets in the pre-malignant setting such as Barrett's Oesophagus, which can be used to slow or prevent progression to malignancy. The group is also actively researching obesity and cancer, and how this impacts hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation, anti-tumour immunity and cancer-associated cachexia and sarcopenia.