Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resists immunotherapy by building an immune-suppressive tumor fortress. This research explores how specific bacteria found in long-term survivors may reshape the tumor microenvironment, enhance immune checkpoint therapy, and help immune cells overcome suppression to attack pancreatic cancer more effectively.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that resists many treatments. This research investigates CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors, focusing on blocking a secondary inhibitory receptor. Early findings suggest reduced immune cell exhaustion and improved tumor killing, offering hope for more effective therapies for children with limited treatment options.

Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children, and current treatments are often insufficient. This research explores harnessing the immune system, particularly macrophages, to fight these tumors. Using advanced imaging and engineered immune cells, the work aims to improve tumor clearance and develop new therapeutic strategies.

Chronic diseases exhaust the body’s CD8 T cells, weakening their ability to fight infections and cancer. This research identifies CD7 as a key driver of T-cell exhaustion. Removing CD7 keeps T cells active, boosts cytokine production, and improves control of tumors and viruses—offering a promising new immunotherapy target.

Late-stage cancers often recur more aggressively after treatment. This research identifies the specific dendritic cell types found inside tumors, distinguishing “good” anti-cancer cells from “bad” tumor-promoting ones. Using this knowledge, a tailored dendritic-cell vaccine is being developed and tested in an ovarian-cancer-like mouse model to prevent relapse.

This research investigates a novel two-drug therapy for ovarian cancer that kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissues and partially reactivates the suppressed immune system. The PhD work explores how this immune “reawakening” occurs, aiming to identify new strategies to enhance it and create more effective, resistance-proof treatments.