What's Happening?
The Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Children & Cancer consortium, in collaboration with the Tang Lab at EPFL and the Francesco Ceppi Group at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), is seeking a postdoctoral researcher. This full-time
position, starting in January 2027, will focus on developing new strategies to overcome CD19 CAR-T cell therapy failure in pediatric leukemia. The project, funded for four years, aims to understand and overcome mechanisms of resistance and relapse following CAR-T cell therapy. The research will investigate whether CAR-T cells with cross-type immune coordination can enhance therapeutic efficacy and prevent leukemia relapse, while also identifying novel therapeutic targets and antigen combinations for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to develop next-generation dual- or multi-antigen CAR-T cell therapies. The NCCR Children & Cancer consortium unites Swiss researchers and clinicians in areas such as pediatric leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, sarcomas, functional oncogenomics, and computational approaches to cancer research.
Why It's Important?
This research is crucial for advancing pediatric oncology, particularly in addressing the significant challenge of CAR-T cell therapy failure in childhood leukemia. By focusing on overcoming resistance and relapse, the project has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for children with aggressive forms of cancer. The development of next-generation dual- or multi-antigen CAR-T cell therapies could offer more effective and durable solutions, reducing the burden of disease and improving quality of life for young patients. The collaborative nature of the NCCR consortium, bringing together diverse expertise from fundamental research to clinical translation, is vital for accelerating the discovery and implementation of innovative immunotherapies. Success in this area could set new standards for pediatric cancer treatment globally, impacting U.S. medical practices and research directions through shared knowledge and advancements.
What's Next?
The postdoctoral researcher will be co-supervised by Prof. Li Tang (EPFL) and Dr. Francesco Ceppi (CHUV), working at the intersection of immunoengineering, cancer biology, and pediatric oncology. Key objectives include engineering CAR-T cells with synergistic immune functions, investigating their potential to prevent resistance and relapse, assessing efficacy in mouse models, and performing preclinical evaluations using patient-derived models. The project will also systematically identify novel therapeutic targets and antigen combinations for pediatric ALL and develop dual- and multi-antigen CAR-T cell strategies. Close collaboration with clinicians at CHUV is planned to facilitate the translation of new immunotherapeutic approaches into clinical applications. The application period is ongoing, with priority given to applications received before November 15, 2026, for a January 2027 start.
Beyond the Headlines
The focus on immunoengineering and functional oncogenomics in this project highlights a broader shift in cancer research towards highly personalized and biologically targeted therapies. This approach moves beyond conventional treatments by leveraging the body's own immune system and understanding the genetic underpinnings of cancer. The emphasis on pediatric cancers underscores the unique challenges and ethical considerations in treating children, where long-term side effects and quality of life are paramount. The interdisciplinary nature of the consortium, integrating data science, artificial intelligence, and patient perspectives, reflects a holistic approach to medical research. This collaborative model could serve as a blueprint for future large-scale medical initiatives, fostering innovation and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice, potentially influencing how U.S. research institutions structure their efforts in complex disease areas.
