The development of cancer might be seen as a failure of immune surveillance. However, even when tumours are immunogenic, their uncontrolled rapid growth may sometimes out-run an immune response. Nevertheless, it is now evident that the mechanisms of peripheral tolerance that normally exist to prevent autoimmunity are also able to preclude the development of an adequate antitumour response. Amongst other they are regulatory T cells, anti-inflammatory cytokines, immature dendritic cells and myeloid suppressor cells. A major challenge has been to develop approaches aimed to break this tolerance in tumour-bearing hosts, and recent advances in our understanding of antigen presentation, T cell activation and tolerance have led to some promising strategies.

Our studies are aimed to understand the mechanisms controlling T cell activation and regulatory T cells and how to modulate immune responses in vivo in animal models of cancer and autoimmune diseases, pathological conditions where the immune system plays a fundamental role. We explore alternative approaches to boost antigen presentation and implement new strategies to eliminate suppressor networks that may hamper immune responses. Our ultimate goal is to translate findings into new treatment strategies for patients with cancer.