Translational clinical research (TCR) group
The TCR group was formed in 2006 in recognition of the need to support our continuing pursuit of scientific and clinical excellence in translational clinical research work within the Cancer Sciences Division, and following the award of full Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) status- a joint initiative between Cancer Research UK and the Departments of Health in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The group provides expertise to support the safe and efficient evaluation of novel cancer treatments being translated from the laboratory to the clinic, with emphasis on the careful and appropriate treatment of biological samples and data from clinical trials, covering the GMP Facility, Tumour Bank and various early phase Clinical Trials:
Investigator-led early phase Clinical Trials in Cancer Sciences Division
- Anti-WT1 DNA vaccination study in haematological malignancies; multicentre randomised phase II, CI: Prof. Christian Ottensmeier
- Chemo-Immunotherapy with Ipilimumab, Carboplatin and Etoposide in extesive Small Cell lung cancer (ICE trial), multicentre phase II study; CI: Prof. Christian Ottensmeier
- Anti-CD40 antibody study; Phase I; C.I.: Prof. Peter Johnson
- Radiolabelled anti-CD66 antibody study; Phase I, C.I: Dr Kim Orchard
- Yttrium-90 labelled Anti-CD66 study, Phase II, C.I. Dr Kim Orchard
- Radiolabelled anti-CD45 antibody study (YAML-586); Phase I; C.I. Dr. Kim Orchard
- DNA vaccine with PSMA27 in prostate cancer; Phase I/II; C.I.: Prof.Christian Ottensmeier
- Anti-CEA vaccination study (ACVA); Phase I/II; C.I.: Prof. Christian Ottensmeier
- Idiotype DNA vaccination for multiple myeloma (MMIFTT); Phase I/II; C.I.: Prof.Christian Ottensmeier
- Educated Donor Lymphocyte Infusion study (EDLI); Phase I; C.I.: Prof Christian Ottensmeier
Other Translational Studies supported by ECMC
- Evaluation of cancer testis antigens, adaptive and innate immune responses to cancer of the gullet; Dr. Andrew Bateman, Prof. Christian Ottensmeier
- Immune responses to pneumococcal vaccine in patients undergoing Prostate Radiotherapy. Dr. Andrew Bateman
- Immune responses in healthy volunteers undergoing hepatitis B vaccination, Dr. Gianfranco Di Genova, Prof Christian Ottensmeier,
- Investigation of humoral and cellular responses to CEA and other tumour antigens in cancer , Prof. Christian Ottensmeier
Activities of the TCR group include the development and formal validation of immunological endpoint assays, to provide the immunological tools for assessing the outcome of clinical testing. Assay development and validation is performed within a highly regulated framework and the TCR group aims to provide clear guidelines for quality assurance (QA Manager) and standards of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice in conducting these procedures.
The group additionally provides a point of contact for the Division for guidance on collection, storage and use of human tissue either from clinical studies or translational projects..
Our expertise in the development, optimisation and validation of endpoint assays for the measurement of novel biomarkers for clinical trials includes IFNγ ELISPOT/cultured ELISPOT (CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses to vaccine targets), ELISA development and validation for novel immunological strategies, such as anti-chimeric antibodies, PK assays), multiparameter analysis and phenotypic evaluation of cell populations by Flow Cytometry, and multiplex assays including the Luminex and Mesoscale Discovery platforms.
Contacts for further information:
Professor Christian Ottensmeier, CHO@soton.ac.uk
Dr. Tony Williams, A.P.Williams@soton.ac.uk
Assay Validation:
Dr Ann Mander, amander@soton.ac.uk
Dr Ferdousi Chowdhury, fc4@soton.ac.uk
Dr. Angelica Cazaly, A.Cazaly@soton.ac.uk
Mrs. Lindsey Low, ll4@soton.ac.uk
Protein Expression
Dr. Patrick Duries, P.J.Duriez@soton.ac.uk
Quality Assurance Manager:
Dr Jason Partridge, jp5u08@soton.ac.uk
Tumour banking and GMP production
Dr. Kathy Potter, kp1@soton.ac.uk
