David Kroeger: Strengthening the Immune Response to Cancer

Hello, my name is David Kroeger and I’m a postdoctoral fellow at the Deeley Research Centre (DRC). My PhD research at the University of Saskatchewan focused on understanding basic aspects of how T cells function. I came to the DRC hoping to use my expertise in T cell biology to help cancer patients.

Decades of research have proven that the immune system has the capacity to recognize and destroy cancerous cells. However, only recently have we begun to be truly successful in harnessing the immune system for cancer therapy.

A particular interest of mine involves tumour-infiltrating B cells and how they work together with T cells to promote anti-cancer immune responses. B cells are well known for their capacity to differentiate into antibody-producing plasma cells. However, B cells also play roles in immune responses, including supporting T cell activity through cooperative interactions.

I hope by studying the interactions between B cells and T cells in the tumour environment, I will be able to shed light on the mechanisms by which the immune system naturally contends with cancer. We hope to use these mechanisms to develop better, stronger immunotherapies in the future.  

David