Discover more Scholar Spotlights.

Yuki Agarwala​, a Laidlaw Scholar at Imperial College London, looks into developing a microneedle patch to deliver a therapeutic cancer vaccine for human papillomavirus-induced cancers​

Research Title: 

Developing a microneedle patch to deliver a therapeutic cancer vaccine for human papillomavirus-induced cancers​

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes many cancers including cervical, vulvar, anal, and oropharyngeal cancer. As such, the burden of these cancers lies predominantly in developing countries with low rates of preventative HPV vaccination. These areas tend to lack resources such as healthcare professionals to inject drugs. Preventive HPV vaccines given in childhood are injected intramuscularly or intradermally (into the skin). However, these vaccines can only prevent HPV infection and cannot treat HPV-induced cancers. The situation strongly calls for a therapeutic vaccine for such cancers through an accessible mode of delivery. My project focused on addressing sustainable development goal 3 by comparing the efficacy of delivering a cancer vaccine through a self-delivered microneedle patch into the surface layers of the skin. The pilot experiment aimed to test the efficacy and ability of the vaccine to generate both an immune response against HPV and control tumor growth. It consisted of four groups of five mice each, with the groups given the 1) vaccine intradermally, 2) saline intradermally, 3) vaccine through a patch, or 4) saline through a patch. Mice were injected on the back shoulder with TC-1 cancer cells that contain the cancer-inducing HPV proteins. Three days after cancer cell injection, mice received the first dose of the vaccine and then two more booster doses at a weekly interval. Mice survival, tumor growth, and the response of the immune systems were compared across groups. Immune response was determined by collecting a blood sample after the last injection, followed by analyzing the response by flow cytometry. Further investigations need to be conducted to determine the efficacy of the microneedle patch, and if successful, this technology could revolutionize cancer therapy by reducing barriers towards accessing cancer therapy in low-resource settings. The microneedle patch has great potential as it could also be leveraged to allow patients to self-administer other therapies when access to a healthcare facility is difficult.​

Where did your passion for this research originate?

When I first learned about the potential of leveraging the immune system to combat cancer, I was fascinated. The human immune system is such a powerful tool and many diseases arise when it goes wrong. Compared to traditional drug therapies such as chemotherapies, assisting the immune system in combating the cancer could reduce side effects and potentially prevent more metastases long term, as the body’s own surveillance system would be trained to fight the cancer. These classes made me interested in researching cancer immunotherapies, and in this project, I explored these interests by investigating the efficacy of a therapeutic cancer vaccine.​

Alongside my cancer biology and immunology classes, in a global health module, we were introduced to the concept of how the same drugs can have very different prices based on the country. The differences in prices made me reflect on how some patients might not have access to a drug entirely based on their place of residence. However, barriers to drug access are not limited to finances. Many drugs currently are injected into the surface of the skin, requiring a healthcare professional for injection, cold storage, and can be very painful. My project investigated administering a cancer vaccine through a microneedle patch which would make the drug more accessible. Investigating cancer immunotherapy with an accessible method of delivery perfectly combined my interests, and I am excited to have gained the relevant skills in this area. ​

What is the most memorable moment from your Laidlaw scholarship experience so far?

What is the biggest challenge you came across in your research and leadership journeys so far, and what did you learn from it? 

​The biggest challenge I came across in my research project was juggling multiple experiments. Previously, I had only conducted 1 project at a time so there were days when I had a few experiments to run, and others where I had none. This time, I was juggling multiple experiments with different steps and waiting times. This quickly became very difficult to keep track of, and I started making mistakes while multitasking. To manage this, every day, I would write up the experimental plan for the next day in my lab book, and I would also keep weekly plans and checklists. This ensured that I was able to conduct all the experiments within the short timeframe without missing any steps or making mistakes.​

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

For me, to be a Laidlaw Scholar is to be part of an exciting network of individuals who are driven to have a positive impact on the world through their own areas of expertise. The generous funding of the program enabled me to have global experiences that I would not have had otherwise, and the many networking opportunities provided by events such as the Laidlaw Conference provided spaces to share interests and experiences with other scholars. Being recognized as a Laidlaw Scholar and being trained in ethical leadership implies that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of giving back to the community, and I will make sure I uphold these values in my future work, particularly by considering drug access in my future research. I am looking forward to my leadership in action project and where the program will take me next! ​

Which particular leaders inspire you the most and why?

Dr Nadine Hachach-Haram, the surgeon who founded Proxime, inspires me. She created technology that enabled surgeons in low-resourced backgrounds to be guided in real-time by their colleagues in well-resourced backgrounds. The technology also involves a platform where both surgeons can communicate and point to certain places within the anatomy of the patient. I truly believe that it is technologies like these that break barriers to healthcare access, which will revolutionize healthcare. Dr. Haram applied her passion for surgery, innovation, and technology to make healthcare more accessible for patients in developing countries, and I would also like to follow in her footsteps to make a tangible impact on healthcare. ​

​

Briefly describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

I can imagine a future world where patients receive similar access to cancer care, regardless of their physical location. This would be achieved by having equitable access to healthcare, with doctors being available within reasonable distance of residential areas. I would also like to envision a world where scientists truly consider the actual clinical environment where the drug will be used, and include such feasibility considerations in their drug design. This would reduce barriers to drug access and result in more patients receiving better care for their conditions, which would ultimately decrease global morbidity and mortality. This is particularly important considering the aging population that most countries will be facing in the upcoming decades. ​

Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently Binging: 

The 5th Wave

📚 My top book recommendation: 

Atomic Habits by James Clear​

🎶 My anthem:

Levitating by Dua Lipa​

🎧 Current Podcast Obsession:

The Mel Robbins Podcast 

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently: 

I have been helping Imperial with outreach for a while now, and recently a student approached me on campus to tell me that I was part of their decision to come to Imperial. This made my day! ​