T-RAFIC · Training network for tracking and controlling therapeutic immune cells in cancer

Cancer immunotherapies have been established in a growing number of clinical indications and the pace of development is massively accelerating. Currently over 6.000 clinical trials are investigating immune-related treatments in oncology especially in combinations. It includes both adoptive cellular therapies and immune modulating treatments like immune check point blockade. In contrast, the understanding of how such therapies mediate their mode of action is still mostly poorly understood. In particular, the role of distribution and relocation of immune cells after therapeutic interventions remains unknown. This is surprising, as immune cell interactions are a hallmark of therapeutic immune responses. T-RAFIC will enhance understanding of immune cell trafficking under therapeutic influence. It will open new paths and avenues to treatments, boost their efficacy and help prioritizing the plethora of immune therapeutic combinations. In the past, detailed analysis of cellular distributions was facing technical barriers. Advances in technologies, now permit tracking and visualization of cells in vitro and in vivo at an unprecedented resolution, allowing for the first time studies on immune cells under therapeutic influence. This emerging field of research has enormous potential and key importance for next generation of researchers in oncology and beyond. However, experts in this field are missing and this threats European research, development and medicine. Therefore, T-RAFIC joins forces of 19 academic and three industrial partners from nine European countries to conduct an innovative and interdisciplinary approach combining cell imaging with bioinformatics, cell engineering and clinician expertise. The network bundles recognised expertise in cancer immunotherapies, empowering European research and innovation and ensuring a sustainable cooperation in science and training.