Colleagues working across our brain tumour and inflammation themes have been awarded £700,000 from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and The Medical Research Council for their project on Understanding CD8+ T cell responses in NF2-Schwannomatosis-related vestibular schwannoma tumours. 

The award builds upon the work performed in the Centre over the last 3 years, which has been underpinned by funding from the charity NF2 BioSolutions, who have supported multiple PhD students in Manchester and who enthusiastically support PPIE activities for our research.

The aim of this project is to develop essential new treatments for NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) related vestibular schwannoma (VS) tumours.  NF2-SWN is a rare tumour predisposition syndrome characterised by multiple benign neoplasms within the central and peripheral nervous system and meninges. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS), which form from abnormal Schwann cells lining the vestibulocochlear (sensory) nerves that transmit signals from the inner ear to the brain, are the hallmark of the syndrome. VS tumours in individuals with NF2-SWN are life-limiting, causing profound deafness, imbalance, difficulties in speech, mental health problems, and can lead to brain stem compression, hydrocephalus and death.

Researchers will employ a translational programme of work, including using newly created experimental models, to identify how anti-tumour immune responses, in particular CD8+ T cell responses, are generated against VS tumours. They will subsequently investigate how they can utilise T cell-targeted therapies, including those employed in other cancer-types, to enhance the ability of CD8+ T cells to kill VS cancer cells, limiting VS growth and reducing tumour-associated symptoms.

Collectively, their research will hopefully transform our understanding of NF2-SWN VS biology and will reveal new immune-based approaches to potentially treat VS tumours in patients with the NF2-SWN syndrome.

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