Impact of test compounds upon normal human leukocytes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of test compounds upon isolated normal human leukocytes in cell culture
IRAS ID
204219
Contact name
Catherine Brady
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Celentyx Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Celentyx's research focuses on the human immune system with the aim of identifying the impact of therapeutics, potential therapeutics or other test compounds upon isolated human immune cells and immune system components. The research allows identification of potential to treat diseases of the human immune system or the potential to cause adverse reactions mediated via the human immune system.
Broadly, diseases of the immune system can be classified as overactive or misplaced, e.g. autoimmunity and allergy or underactive, e.g. acquired or inherited immunodeficiencies. In allergy and asthma the immune system makes a response to substances which are not normally harmful. In contrast, in autoimmunity the immune system aberrantly mounts a response to normal components of the body. Acquired (e.g. AIDS) or inherited (e.g. common variable immunodeficiency) immunodeficiencies result from a decreased activity of one or more components of the immune system and leave the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain types of tumour. Targeting the function of the human immune system, whether under or over activity, offers the potential to treat such immune disorders.
Recent developments in the treatment of cancer focus on the recruitment of the immune system or the relief of tumour-induced inhibition of immunity. Cancers have not traditionally been thought of as having immune components, but patients often do not mount a successful immune response against their tumour. In many cases the tumour can directly inhibit the patient’s immune system. A number of new treatment strategies aim to relieve this inhibition: approved therapeutics include checkpoint inhibitors such as Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, and Ipilimumab. The successful targeting of the immune system in a manner predicted to offer therapeutic benefit will support the development of new treatment strategies for many common malignancies.
Modulation of the human immune system therefore offers clear therapeutic potential in a wide range of diseases.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0601
Date of REC Opinion
23 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion