Laboratory of Tumor Immunology – Mikrobiologický ústav AV ČR, v. v. i.

Tumor Immunology

kovář lab

The Laboratory of Tumor Immunology focuses on studying the interactions between the immune system and tumors, as well as developing new treatment options for malignant diseases. Our approaches aim to enhance current chemotherapy by targeting drug delivery to tumors and improving the pharmacological properties of drugs through the use of synthetic polymer carriers. These carriers are developed in collaboration with the laboratory led by T. Etrych at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Additionally, we focus on utilizing specific signaling molecules of the immune system, namely IL-2 and IL-15, to stimulate populations of immune cells that are crucial for recognizing and eliminating tumor cells, such as CD8+ T and NK lymphocytes. This strategy induces effective antitumor immunity.

What’s new?

4. 9. 2024

Participation at the conference „7th European Congress of Immunology“, Dublin, Ireland

Focus of research

Polymer drugs

IL-2 complexes

Grant projects

Polymer drugs

In collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Polymers at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, we are developing polymeric conjugates based on HPMA copolymers that carry the chemotherapeutic drugs gemcitabine or docetaxel.

IL-2 complexes

Our group also focuses on tumor immunotherapy using complexes of IL-2 and anti-IL-2 mAb (referred to as IL-2 complexes). These IL-2 complexes exhibit significantly higher biological activity in vivo compared to free IL-2.

Grant projects

We successfully implement a number of prestigious grant projects. These projects focus on the development of therapeutics intended for the treatment of cancer, and are financed from national and international sources, such as the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, the AZV of the Czech Republic or the Exceles program.