Innate Immune Pathways in Cancer Therapy : Dendritic Cell Targeting and Complement-Driven Tumor Control

A small symposium will take place on Monday, January 26, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, in the Gustave Roussy Auditorium. Two presentations will be given by invited speakers from Lund University (Sweden):

“A Novel Anti-Cancer Vaccine Strategy for Enhancing T-Cell Immunity through Dendritic Cell Targeting”
Prof. Kristian Riesbeck

SUMMARY : Despite advances in cancer immunotherapy, more than half of patients fail to respond adequately, highlighting the need for improved vaccine strategies. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based mRNA vaccines efficiently deliver antigens but lack specificity for antigen-presenting cells. This project addresses this limitation by targeting LNPs to the pattern recognition receptor Dectin-1 on dendritic cells. We have discovered novel protein ligands that activate Dectin-1 and function as potent adjuvants when coupled to mRNA-LNPs encoding cancer neoantigens. These interactions promote efficient T-cell cross-priming and robust cytotoxic T-cell responses. Using interdisciplinary approaches, we are now evaluating these proteins in tumour models to establish a platform for developing more effective cancer vaccines. 

BIOSKETCH: Kristian Riesbeck is Professor of Clinical Bacteriology at Lund University (Sweden) and a leading researcher in host-pathogen interactions of the respiratory tract. His work focuses on clinically important Gram-negative bacteria, for example, Haemophilus influenzae, a major cause of otitis media, COPD exacerbations, and pneumonia. A strong emphasis of his research is vaccine development aimed at effectively triggering protective immune responses. Professor Riesbeck has significantly advanced understanding of bacterial immune evasion, including interactions with the complement system, immunoglobulins, and innate immune receptors. He integrates molecular microbiology and translational research to identify novel therapeutic and vaccine targets. His group collaborates closely with clinicians to bridge fundamental mechanisms with patient-relevant outcomes.

“CSMD1 at the Interface of Complement Regulation and Tumor Suppression”
Prof. Anna Blom

SUMMARY: CSMD1 (CUB and Sushi Multiple Domains 1) is a transmembrane complement inhibitor, particularly highly expressed in the brain, and which also functions as a tumor suppressor. In this talk, I will present our work showing that in breast cancer CSMD1 blocks metastasis in vivo, and modulates oncogenic signalling through interaction with EGFR, leading to reduced PI3K–AKT
signalling and enhanced receptor degradation. Analyses of patient cohorts, single-cell RNA sequencing data, and our glioma mouse models further demonstrate that high CSMD1 expression correlates with improved survival, lower tumor grade, and reduced genomic instability in glioma. Together, these findings suggest that CSMD1 may link complement regulation and tumor progression,
with implications for prognosis and therapy.

BIOSKETCH: Anna Blom is a Professor of Medical Protein Chemistry at Lund University. She has made significant contributions to understanding the role of the complement system in a range of pathologies, including rheumatic diseases, cancer, and complement deficiencies. She has characterised a variety of host–pathogen interactions involving complement. More recently, she has demonstrated a role for complement in diabetes and contributed to the establishment of the emerging field of intracellular complement. Professor Blom is currently President of the International Complement Society.