Ping-Chih Ho Elected AAAS Fellow for Immune Metabolism Breakthroughs

Ping-Chih Ho, from Ludwig Lausanne, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This distinguished recognition acknowledges individuals for their profound contributions to the advancement of science or its applications.

Ho was specifically recognized for his contributions to the field of immune metabolism, elucidating its pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity and its application in advancing cancer therapy.

Groundbreaking Research in Immune Metabolism

Ho's research delves into how metabolic byproducts mediate interactions between immune cells and tissues. His studies also investigate how tumor metabolic adaptations impair immune cell function, consequently hindering cancer clearance. His work has established foundational principles in the field and identified potential targets for novel cancer therapies.

Key Discoveries from Ho's Laboratory

Recent findings from his laboratory include:

• Elucidation of how malfunctioning mitochondria cause T cells to enter a state of "terminal exhaustion," preventing them from eliminating cancer cells. His team also demonstrated how an existing cancer drug could interrupt this mechanism, potentially preventing exhaustion in CAR-T cells used in immunotherapy.
• Identification of a specific fat uptake mechanism by immune cells within tumors that functions as a metabolic checkpoint against anti-cancer immune responses. His lab developed a candidate antibody drug, PLT012, to counteract this effect. PLT012 has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for liver cancer treatment and is currently in U.S. clinical trials through Pilatus, a biotech startup.

Induction and Affiliations

Ho is scheduled to be inducted into the AAAS during a ceremony in Washington D.C. on May 29. He is a member of the Lausanne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and a professor at the University of Lausanne.