Charles-Antoine Dutertre: using immunology in the fight against cancer

Charles-Antoine Dutertre began studying biology at the Pierre and Marie Curie University (now Sorbonne University) in 1997, before joining the Master's programme in genetics at University Paris 7 - Denis Diderot (now Université Paris Cité). In 1999, during an internship at the Molecular Biophysics Laboratory at the Pierre and Marie Curie University, he explored the interaction between DNA and porphyrins - molecules involved in various biological processes - using Raman spectroscopy.
The following summer, an internship at Rambam Hospital in Israel led him to analyse a specific mutation in a gene associated with genetic predisposition to breast cancer. In 2001, during an Erasmus exchange at the University of Leicester, he studied how tumour cells lengthen their telomeres. "These experiences strengthened my interest in applying genetics to understanding pathological mechanisms, particularly in the field of cancer."

He went on to complete a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA, the equivalent of a master’s degree nowadays) in oncogenesis at University Paris 7, before enrolling on the specialised Masternova master’s programme in 2002, which focused on biotechnological innovation, at the National Agronomic Institute Paris-Grignon and the Reims Management School. "This immersion between academic research and industrial application led me towards immunology, a rapidly growing field at the time."
 

Immersion in immunology and the discovery of a therapeutic antibody

Convinced of the potential of targeted therapies, Charles-Antoine Dutertre began a thesis in immunology at the Cordeliers Research Centre (Inserm) in February 2004, funded by an industrial research training agreement (CIFRE) grant and in partnership with the French Fractionation and Biotechnology Laboratory (LFB). His research, defended in 2008, led to the development of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody optimised for the specific activation of killer immune cells. This treatment is now marketed by the biopharmaceutical company TG Therapeutics under the name ublituximab (Briumvi). "We wanted to maximise immune cell action while minimising side effects."

After completing his thesis, he specialised in studying immune system cells, whether they belong to innate immunity, which provides the first line of defence against infections, or adaptive immunity, which delivers a more targeted response and memorises pathogens for lasting protection. The researcher developed an expertise in genetics, molecular biology and immunology, applying these skills to understanding immune interactions in a variety of contexts, ranging from infectious diseases to cancers.
 

Institut Cochin: immunology applied to HIV infection

In March 2009, Charles-Antoine Dutertre joined the Institut Cochin for a three-year post-doctorate where he investigated the role of immune cells in the persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and associated chronic inflammation mechanisms. One of his discoveries concerned a monocyte subpopulation involved in harmful inflammation in people living with HIV. "This work sheds light on chronic inflammation and viral persistence mechanisms."
The researcher also characterised a subpopulation of dendritic cells in rhesus macaques, a reference animal model for HIV research. Such cells are essential for activating T lymphocytes, which play a key role in the immune response. "A better understanding of these populations opens the way for new therapeutic tools or vaccines aimed at enhancing immunity."
 

Singapore: a comprehensive approach to myeloid cells

In 2013, Charles-Antoine Dutertre moved to Singapore, where he remained until 2020. He joined the Duke-NUS Medical School and worked with the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), conducting large-scale studies on myeloid cells. These cells are crucial for detecting pathogens, activating the immune response and regulating inflammation. He explored their involvement in these mechanisms using cutting-edge technologies. Over seven years, he co-authored around fifty publications in leading scientific journals. Among his breakthroughs, he identified circulating progenitors, i.e. immature cells in the blood capable of evolving into mature human dendritic cells. He also identified a new population of inflammatory cells in this lineage, implicated in various pathologies including hepatitis B and C, chronic inflammatory conditions and cancers.
 

Research at Inserm and Institut Gustave Roussy

In September 2020, Charles-Antoine Dutertre was appointed a Research Fellow at Inserm and joined the Institut Gustave Roussy, one of Europe's leading cancer centres, as well as Université Paris-Saclay. He is continuing to research the interaction between immune cells and tumours, with particular emphasis on their response to anti-cancer immunotherapies. "I'm contributing to the development of a universal immune cell atlas, based on in-depth transcriptomic analysis. This approach examines gene expression in each cell to understand their role and activity. This work also involves tumour tissue mapping using spatial biology, a technology that locates these cells directly in their environment and reveals their interactions and organisation within tumours." This resource, based on samples from patients with various cancers (lung, breast, kidney, pancreas, etc.), aims to become a global reference for understanding tumour evolution and refining therapeutic strategies.
 

Towards new therapeutic strategies

In 2022, Charles-Antoine Dutertre became accredited to direct research and was listed among the Highly Cited Researchers in the Cross-field category for 2023 and 2024. He is currently working closely with the Experimental and Translational Pathology platform (PETRA), which is integrated into the Molecular Analysis, Modelling and Imaging of Cancer Disease unit (AMMICA) and specialises in the imaging and spatial analysis of tumour tissue. This cutting-edge technology provides a precise visualisation of the cellular and molecular organisation of cancerous tissues. "The challenge is to gain a greater understanding of how these cells influence cancer growth, paving the way for targeted therapeutic solutions."

In the longer term, Charles-Antoine Dutertre plans to found a biotech start-up to translate his discoveries into tangible medical innovations. "What drives me every day is seeing how our discoveries can transform patient care. Understanding immunity better gives us the means to diagnose tumours earlier, design more effective treatments and limit side effects."