14 mars 2024: Pr Sergio Quezada
12H30
CMU - AUDITOIRE MÜLLER (A250)
suivi d'un apéritif
Hôtes: Pr Mikaël PITTET & Pr Olivier MICHIELIN
Centre de recherche translationnelle en onco-hématologie (CRTOH)
Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine UNIGE & Département d’oncologie, HUG
PROF. Sergio QUEZADA
Professor of Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy
Immune Regulation & Tumour Immunotherapy Lab, UCL Cancer Institute
Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Achilles therapeutics
«Targeting Regulatory T cells in Cancer: Means, Mechanisms and New Therapies»
In this lecture, Professor Quezada will focus on the critical role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in tumors and the fundamental processes that control their function. He will also explore the innovative strategies and mechanisms behind the activity of Treg-targeting antibodies. This lecture will provide important insights for both the research and clinical communities. It represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical clinical applications, making it a pivotal event for those dedicated to advancing cancer therapy.
Biography
Sergio Quezada is a Professor of Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy at University College London Cancer Institute and Chief Scientific officer of Achilles Therapeutics. He earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the P. Universidad Católica de Chile and a Ph.D. from Dartmouth Medical School in the US. In 2004, he joined the laboratory of the Nobel Laureate Prof James Allison at MSKCC, where he unveiled mechanisms underpinning the anti-tumour activity of anti CTLA-4 antibodies.
His work at UCL focuses in cancer immunology, tumour microenvironment, regulatory T cells and immune checkpoint blockade. His team’s research unveiled the critical role of Fc receptors and the tumour microenvironment in the mechanism of action of anti CTLA-4 antibodies, and he is an inventor of key patents supporting the clinical development of antibodies targeting immune checkpoints including VISTA, ICOS and CD25. In the last few years, Prof Quezada and his team co-led the development of a best in class Treg-depleting anti-human CD25 antibody acquired by Roche in 2018 and currently in clinical evaluation against solid cancers.
In addition to immune regulation, Prof Quezada’s research also aims to characterize and interrogate immune reactivity and function within the microenvironment of different human cancers, helping identify mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapy. His work in this area led to creation of a spin off company, Achilles therapeutics, a clinical stage company delivering personalised T cell therapies against cancer. In April 2020 Prof Quezada stepped in as Chief Scientific Officer of Achilles to lead the current and future scientific direction of Achilles.
Prof Quezada was a recipient of Dartmouth’s John W. Strohbern Medal for excellence in biomedical research, the Cancer Research Institute new investigator award, a CRUK Career Development Fellowship and a CRUK Senior Cancer Research Fellowship. In 2022 Prof Quezada was elected Fellow of the European Academy for Cancer Sciences.
7 févr. 2024