Radiotherapy (RT) can sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade ICB by promoting a T cell inflamed tumor microenvironment and has shown promising results in pre-clinical models of lung and head and neck cancers. This led to the introduction of Radio-Immuno-Therapy (RIT) as a promising strategy for treatment of cancer. Our lab focuses on identifying mechanisms of response and resistance to RIT. We utilize advanced proteomic and genomic approaches to elucidate new mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Recent publications on this topic:

• Overcoming resistance to combination radiation-immunotherapy: a focus on contributing pathways within the tumor microenvironment. Frontiers in Immunology. 2019; 9: 3154
• Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment. J Vis Exp. 2019; 22: 146.
• STAT3 Modulation of Regulatory T Cells in Response to Radiation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019; 111(12): 36.
• Resistance to radiotherapy and PD-L1 blockade is mediated by TIM-3 upregulation and regulatory T-cell infiltration. Clinical Cancer Res. 2018;24 (21):5368-80
• Ionizing radiation sensitizes tumors to PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade in orthotopic murine head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. OncoImmunology. 2017; 6:e1356153.