Cancer immunotherapy relies on the immune system to mount a powerful fight against cancer.
Novel therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy that marry genetic engineering technologies with cell-based therapy are showing increased promise for the development of next-generation immunotherapeutics.
Not only is the tumor microenvironment implicated in the regulation of the immune response, but metabolic reprogramming and hostile mechanisms of immunosuppression alter immune cell effector function and are increasingly intriguing targets for adoptive immunotherapy.
Our lab is interested in understanding the underlying mechanisms of immunosuppression and poor immune cell presence and activity in solid tumors, and developing therapeutic approach that can restore immune dysfunction. For instance, the tumor microenvironment is characterized by the presence of adenosine, produced by the cancer-associated ectonucleotidase CD73, which acts as an immune checkpoint mediator which suppresses innate immune responses, ultimately leading to tumor metastasis. Linked to the metabolism of adenosine is extracellular ATP -- together, they create an immunosuppressive niche which contributes to cancer growth. We are studying how targeting the activity of CD73 can not only enhance immune cell responses, but alter the tumor microenvironment to support immune activation.
In our lab, we leverage natural killer cells as powerful tools for the treatment of solid tumors. Their ability to calibrate a sophisticated repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors places them in the unique realm of both adaptive and innate immunity which includes memory and education. Regulation of these cells' responses to these receptors, while understanding metabolic reprogramming mechanisms, is a focus of our lab's work.
We incorporate genetic engineering, synthetic biology and immunotherapy to regulate and reprogram innate and adaptive function against various solid cancers.
Novel therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy that marry genetic engineering technologies with cell-based therapy are showing increased promise for the development of next-generation immunotherapeutics.
Not only is the tumor microenvironment implicated in the regulation of the immune response, but metabolic reprogramming and hostile mechanisms of immunosuppression alter immune cell effector function and are increasingly intriguing targets for adoptive immunotherapy.
Our lab is interested in understanding the underlying mechanisms of immunosuppression and poor immune cell presence and activity in solid tumors, and developing therapeutic approach that can restore immune dysfunction. For instance, the tumor microenvironment is characterized by the presence of adenosine, produced by the cancer-associated ectonucleotidase CD73, which acts as an immune checkpoint mediator which suppresses innate immune responses, ultimately leading to tumor metastasis. Linked to the metabolism of adenosine is extracellular ATP -- together, they create an immunosuppressive niche which contributes to cancer growth. We are studying how targeting the activity of CD73 can not only enhance immune cell responses, but alter the tumor microenvironment to support immune activation.
In our lab, we leverage natural killer cells as powerful tools for the treatment of solid tumors. Their ability to calibrate a sophisticated repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors places them in the unique realm of both adaptive and innate immunity which includes memory and education. Regulation of these cells' responses to these receptors, while understanding metabolic reprogramming mechanisms, is a focus of our lab's work.
We incorporate genetic engineering, synthetic biology and immunotherapy to regulate and reprogram innate and adaptive function against various solid cancers.