Behind the Scenes: Exploring CRMY’s Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy (CII) Unit

A chat with the Dr Lim Kue Peng, the head of Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy (CII) Unit

Most of us have been getting vaccines since we were babies, with regular shots continuing through our teenage years. Remember those school days when we’d line up for shots, not really knowing or caring why? Turn out, those little pricks were actually super important in keeping us safe from nasty diseases. Now, imagine a vaccine that could protect us from cancer. That’s exactly what the Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy (CII) Unit at Cancer Research Malaysia is working on Malaysia’s very FIRST oral cancer vaccine! Dr Lim Kue Peng and her team have been hard at work, and she’s here to give us the inside scoop on their exciting journey.

1. Could you please explain the role and responsibilities of the CII (Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy) Unit within CRMY?

The immune system is like the body’s superhero, always on the lookout to protect us from various threats, including cancer cells. But sometimes, it doesn’t function as effectively as it should, allowing cancer to develop. At the CIIT unit, we focus on understanding how we can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer, particularly those cancers that are more common in the Asian population. We’re in the midst of developing powerful immunotherapies that give the immune system the boost it needs to better target and eliminate cancer cells.

2. What unique contributions does your unit make to the field of cancer research?

Our unit is applying the same approach used in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine to cancer research. Just as the COVID vaccine targeted the spike protein of the virus, we’ve developed a cancer vaccine designed to recognise and attack a specific feature of cancer cells. In our lab tests, this cancer vaccine has shown promising results in killing cancer cells and controlling tumour growth in animal models. These advancements bring us closer to creating targeted therapies that could revolutionise cancer treatment.

3. Are there any specific types of cancer or patient populations that the department is currently focusing on?

We are particularly focused on cancers that are prevalent in our region, such as head and neck, nasopharyngeal, liver, and lung cancers. These types of cancers are more common in our population and often come with unique challenges. By concentrating our efforts on these cancers, we aim to develop treatments that are more effective for our local communities, ultimately improving patient outcomes and providing precision care.

4. How many individuals are currently part of the CII Team, and what are their respective roles and expertise?

Our team consists of five dedicated individuals, each bringing different expertise to the table. Dr Ngoi Soo Mun, an expert in immunology, leads effort to improve our vaccine design. Dr Gan Chai Phei, focuses on identifying new targets for our vaccine programme.  Chai San Jiun and Vinotheni Rajendran bring their expertise in laboratory models, working with both cell lines and animal models to test our hypotheses.

5. What does a typical day look like for the team in the Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy Unit?

Our team usually starts the day as early as 7am, with everyone checking in on the cancer cells we’ve been growing in the lab. It’s a bit like taking care of babies because we have to make sure they are well-fed with culture media and have survived the night. Once the cells are settled, we set up experiments that will run throughout the day. Meetings are also a key part of our routine, where we discuss strategies, troubleshoot any issues, and ensure everyone is aligned with our goals. If you visit our office, you’ll notice we’re always on the move, balancing a variety of tasks to keep our research moving forward.

6. How does your team collaborate with other units or external collaborators to advance cancer research and treatment?

Our team collaborates closely with both local and international scientists. With our international collaborators, we hold regular meetings to discuss ongoing projects and brainstorm new ideas, ensuring we’re always pushing the boundaries of our research. Within CRMY, we have the advantage of calling ad hoc meetings with colleagues from different departments whenever needed. Sometimes, the best ideas come up during a quick coffee break, where casual chats often turn into insightful discussions on the latest findings and new technologies.

7. What are some of the challenges your department faces in cancer immunotherapy research, and how are you addressing them?

One of the main challenges we face in cancer immunotherapy research is the complexity of the immune system. It’s difficult to replicate its behaviour accurately in a lab setting, which is why we rely heavily on animal models for our experiments.

While this approach is necessary, it poses significant financial and logistical challenges that could limit the scope of our research. To address these challenges, we are continually seeking ways to refine our models and improve our understanding of how to better manipulate the immune system to combat cancer effectively.

8. Can you share some recent achievements or breakthroughs that your department has made in this field?

We’re proud to be at the forefront of cancer vaccine development. Our team has developed a promising cancer vaccine that has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating head and neck cancer in both laboratory and animal models. Currently, we are in the process of raising funds to advance this vaccine into First-in-Human clinical trials. If successful, it could become one of the first cancer vaccines of its kind in the world, marking a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring researchers or individuals interested in pursuing a career in cancer immunology and immunotherapy?

Pursuing a career in cancer immunology and immunotherapy is a bit like playing a game of hide and seek. The immune system is constantly evolving and adapting, so just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, it changes. If you enjoy tackling complex problems and are passionate about finding innovative solutions to outsmart cancer, this field is for you. Embrace the challenge and stay curious. We’re always on the lookout for inquisitive minds who are ready to take on the complexities, and you might just be the one to make the breakthrough we need.

10. What are the future goals and directions for the Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy Unit and how do you see the field evolving in the coming years?

In the coming years, our primary goal is to advance our cancer vaccine to clinical trials, specifically targeting cancers prevalent in Malaysia such as head and neck, liver, and lung cancers. If the results are positive, we aim to move towards commercialising the vaccine.

At the same time, we will work on optimising the vaccination schedule to enhance its effectiveness and explore various delivery systems to identify the most efficient methods. Our efforts will also include discovering new vaccine targets to continually advance our research pipeline. Through these initiatives, we hope to significantly impact cancer treatment and contribute to the evolution of immunotherapy.

Did you know you can support Dr Kue Peng and her team’s groundbreaking cancer vaccine research by joining our SOS (Support Our Scientist) campaign? Your contribution will bring us closer to new treatments and a future free from the fear of cancer. Make your donation here.