Modeling the tumor microenvironment: An in vitro T cell exhaustion model for the characterization of multi-specific biologics and immunotherapies

In this webinar, join Dr. Agapitos Patakas, Chief Scientific Officer, Antibody Analytics, as he shares the benefits and limitations of modeling the tumor microenvironment immune cell infiltrate with an in vitro cell-based assay. The assay is well suited to the interrogation of the therapeutic value of targeting checkpoint axes and is benchmarked with an approved checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) e.g. nivolumab.

A T cell exhaustion model will be presented, employing healthy human donor cells. The value of the model in the context of numerous T cell-directed therapies (modality agnostic) will also be discussed. Additionally, the model can be used in a translational sense to investigate combination approaches (e.g. with CPIs) or to determine any additive or synergistic effects of multiple therapeutic targets.

The benefits of pre-screening donors to increase assay success and employing multiple, high-content readouts in parallel to maximise data output will also be explored.

Key learning objectives

• Discover how to model T cell exhaustion in vitro
• Understand the power of multi-parameter flow cytometry and kinetic cytotoxicity assays for phenotypic and functional characterisation of T cell states
• Explore the range of drug modalities and targets capable of reversing T cell exhaustion
• Understand the power of orthogonal readouts for the determination of T cell effector cell function; MLR, cytotoxicity, and cytokine release

Who should attend?

• Innovative drug developers in immuno-oncology; developing monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, co-stimulation agonists, immunometabolism modulators, T cell engaging antibodies, small molecule inhibitors (e.g. kinase inhibitors), bispecifics, and T cell therapies.

Sponsored by Agilent Technologies in partnership with Antibody Analytics

Certificate of attendance

All webinar participants can request a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes.