The scientific focus of the Cancer Immunology (CI) Program is to identify innovative immunological strategies that can be used to effectively eliminate established and wide-spread malignancies. The overall goal of the CI program is to provide the rich intellectual environment that strengthens the research of the members and promotes the development of strong collaborative interactions.
There are two major scientific themes in the CI program:
- Elucidation of the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade the immune system
This research is focused on understanding the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade immune-mediated cell death. This group of CI researchers includes two focus groups: the first focus group has a primary interest in head-and-neck cancers, and the second focus group has a primary interest in cancers associated with viral infections, both of which are of great relevance to the patient base of the HCC.
- Identification and validation of unique approaches that enhance anti-tumor immunity and tumor cell death
Members of the CI program are using innovative approaches to enhance immune killing. They have been successful in developing unique lipids to enhance anti-apoptotic mechanisms, complement-based therapeutics to enhance antibody-mediated cell death and modified immune cells to increase tumor cell death.
Currently, the CI program has 17 members holding a total of $3.1M in research funding. Contact Us
To find out more about this research program, email the Program Leader: Michael I. Nishimura, Ph.D.
Program Leader
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