Synthetic tumor niches

Leukemia, a form of blood cancer, remains a formidable challenge in oncology. Despite many patients initially responding to treatments and the advent of advanced immunotherapies that have notably enhanced prognoses, relapses remain a significant concern. This is largely attributed to certain leukemia cells, particularly cancer stem cells, finding sanctuary within lymph nodes. These nodes, under normal physiological conditions, offer a nourishing environment for white blood cells to proliferate and thrive. However, under pathological conditions, such as in cancer, they can inadvertently provide a protective haven for therapy-resistant leukemia cells. In this project, we aim to decipher the key signals lymph nodes extend to resident leukemia cells that confer therapy resistance. To achieve this, we build our own synthetic lymph nodes from the bottom-up, controlling their biochemical and biophysical properties aligned with those observed in leukemia patients. Subsequent treatments with chemotherapy and antibody immunotherapies allow us to evaluate how the lymph node environment potentially aids cancer cell survival. This endeavor, while rooted in fundamental science, holds promise for offering predictive insights in a translational context.