IDO-based Immunotherapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors

Background

This proposal will address a fundamental gap in understanding the specialized immune biology of the brain tumor micro environment through studies of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) pathway of immune tolerance. IDO is often co-opted by tumors to escape immune attack. Immunologic therapy of cancer is now a cutting-edge new form of cancer treatment for adults, but has not yet brought benefit to children with cancer. The long-term goal is to establish a pediatric immunotherapy program to translate pediatric-focused laboratory research into Phase I and Phase II immunotherapy trials in children.