Justin Milner, PhD

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat. There is a clear need for more effective therapies. CAR-T cell therapy has shown promise in some cancers. However, pancreatic tumors create a harsh environment that weakens T cells and limits how they work. This project aims to reprogram T cells so they can persist and continue fighting in these conditions.T cells can be genetically engineered. This allows us to adjust the instructions that control how they behave. Most current approaches focus on removing barriers, like taking the brakes off. In this project, we take a different approach. We aim to strengthen T cells so they can better adapt and function within tumors.Our goal is to identify changes that make T cells more potent and longer-lasting. These insights will enable more effective CAR-T therapies for pancreatic cancer and other solid tumors.