Research Summary
I have a research focus in adoptive T cell therapy using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and checkpoint inhibitors. My current interest is on the design of next generation of CARs and combination checkpoint immunotherapy in the setting of a tolerant/suppressive tumor microenvironment in solid malignancies.
Translating recent advancements in cellular cancer immunotherapy to metastatic solid tumors has been especially challenging, and this is highlighted by the lack clinical response outside of the CD19 ideal antigen as target. Current forms of therapy is likely insufficient to overcome the naturally tolerogenic microenvironment evolved to protect against autoimmunity across organ sites. Using the liver as a model organ of immune tolerance, we discovered the putative mechanisms of tumor escape to checkpoint inhibitor therapy in the setting of liver metastases and are now working on developing strategies to overcome them.
My hope is to see cancer immunotherapeutics become a mainstream form treatment that is capable of providing durable and curative responses for stage IV cancers.