second drug, lenalidomid, boosts the production of the T cells to recognize and attack the foreign cancer cells (see Figure above.)
In short, Toor is harnessing the immune system to improve stem cell transplant outcomes while gaining mechanistic insights into the process. The approach, which has led to a number of publications and is gaining national attention, is now being used to treat a number of cancers, including leukemia and multiple myeloma. To date, this therapy has benefitted more than 50 cancer patients treated at Massey.
Toor is also collaborating with Manjili and Gregory Buck, Ph.D., VCU Center for Genome Complexity, in an effort to catalogue the entire library of antigens that differ between stem cell donors and transplant recipients enrolled in a Phase II clinical trial. Through this project, the researchers hope to expand the selection of stem cell donors for those needing transplants.