Peter Stern - Overview

The general activity is the investigation of the immune response to tumour-associated antigens in human malignancy. The ultimate goal is to harness basic science for diagnostic/prognostic assessment, the design of therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, the establishment of proof of principle and then delivery of clinical trials.

Our highest priority is the clinical utility of the research but this will be underwritten by basic/model studies of the target molecules and mechanisms. Our studies involve the identification and/or study of tumour associated antigens with potential for immunotherapy or other targeted therapies.(e.g. high risk HPV gene products, the oncofetal antigen 5T4 and more recently lymphoma idiotypes). In all cases the results of our work has or is likely to contribute to the development and implementation of clinicaltrials of different immunotherapies and the prospects for further novel targeting approaches. Recent general reviews of cancer vaccine and immunotherapy approaches include Stern, Beverley and Carroll (2000) and Dermine et al (2002).