Multiplex Three-Dimensional Imaging Cytometry for Cancer Immunotherapy

Lecture given by Steve Seung-Young Lee, Ph.D., UIC assistant professor in the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract: The tumor microenvironment is a three-dimensional (3D) system of diverse cellular and non-cellular components whose heterogeneous structure is typically defined by haphazard growth of cancer cells and a disordered microvasculature. Drug transport occurs within this context, providing a challenge for analysis of the drug distribution in tumor by two-dimensional (2D) methods such as immunohistochemistry (IHC). Toward overcoming the limitations of 2D methods, Dr. Lee developed Transparent Tissue Tomography (T3) as a new tool for quantitative 3D imaging and analysis of macromolecular drug transport to tumors. The use of T3 to map immunotherapeutic agent distribution, recruitment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and immune biomarker expression within the tumor microenvironment offers new insights into cancer immunotherapy.