Sarwish Rafiq
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology
Assistant Professor
- (404) 727-2699
- sarwish.rafiq@emory.edu
-
Emory University
Emory Universit
1760 Haygood Drive, E320
Academic Appointment
- Assistant Professor, Emory University
Education
Degrees
- PhD from The Ohio State University
Research
Focus
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Investigating cellular immunotherapies
Harnessing the power of the immune system to treat cancer has proven to be a promising therapeutic option for patients. The overall goal of Dr. Rafiqs research is to use mechanistic insight of immune effector cell function and interaction with cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment to inform the development and translation of novel engineered cellular immunotherapies. In particular, her work focuses on the genetic engineering of synthetic receptors known as Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR). Despite the transformative effect CAR T cells have had on the treatment of some types of leukemias and lymphoma in recent years, obstacles remain in expanding this technology for more widespread use in cancer. As a translational cancer researcher, Dr. Rafiqs studies aim to engineer novel CARs to target both solid and hematological malignancies as well as deliver immune-modulating or toxic agents locally to the tumor microenvironment.
Publications
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Combination radiation and PD-L1 enhance tumor control by stimulating CD8+PD-1+TCF-1+T cells in the tumor-draining lymph node.
Nat Commun Volume: 16 Page(s): 3522
04/14/2025 Authors: Shen Y; Connolly E; Aiello M; Zhou C; Chappa P; Song H; Tippitak P; Clark T; Cardenas M; Prokhnevska N -
Muc16CD is a novel CAR Tcell target antigen for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Mol Ther Oncol Volume: 32 Page(s): 200868
12/19/2024 Authors: Lin HK; Blake DA; Liu T; Freeman R; Lesinski GB; Yang L; Rafiq S -
TYRP1 directed CAR Tcells control tumor progression in preclinical melanoma models.
Mol Ther Oncol Volume: 32 Page(s): 200862
09/19/2024 Authors: Hackett CS; Hirschhorn D; Tang MS; Purdon TJ; Marouf Y; Piersigilli A; Agaram NP; Liu C; Schad SE; de Stanchina E -
Engineering Improved CAR T Cell Products with A Multi-Cytokine Particle Platform for Hematologic and Solid Tumors.
Adv Healthc Mater Volume: 13 Page(s): e2302425
06/01/2024 Authors: Lin HK; Uricoli B; Freeman R; Hossian AN; He Z; Anderson JYL; Neffling M; Legier JM; Blake DA; Doxie DB -
Radiation and anti-PD-L1 synergize by stimulating a stem-like T cell population in the tumor-draining lymph node.
Res Sq
03/06/2024 Authors: Shen Y; Connolly E; Aiello M; Zhou C; Chappa P; Song H; Tippitak P; Clark T; Cardenas M; Prokhnevska N -
Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumour immunity.
Nature Volume: 623 Page(s): 1034 - 1043
11/01/2023 Authors: Fan H; Xia S; Xiang J; Li Y; Ross MO; Lim SA; Yang F; Tu J; Xie L; Dougherty U -
Siglec-15 Promotes Evasion of Adaptive Immunity in B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Cancer Res Commun Volume: 3 Page(s): 1248 - 1259
07/01/2023 Authors: Pillsbury CE; Dougan J; Rabe JL; Fonseca JA; Zhou C; Evans AN; Abukharma H; Ichoku O; Gonzalez-Flamenco G; Park SI -
Amino Acid Analysis Indicates Metabolic Differences in Multi-Cytokine Backpack-Manufactured CAR T-Cells
Volume: 31 Page(s): 499 - 500
05/01/2023 Authors: Uricoli B; Lin H; Hossian AKMN; Anderson JY; Gregory K; Neffing M; Piras G; Rafiq S; Dreaden E -
Engineering a Multi-Cytokine Backpack Platform for Manufacturing Functionally Improved CAR T Cell Products
Volume: 31 Page(s): 401 - 402
05/01/2023 Authors: Lin HK; Uricoli B; Hossian AKMN; Freeman R; He Z; Anderson JYL; Neffling M; Legier J; Doxie DB; Nair R -
Multipurposing CARs: Same engine, different vehicles.
Mol Ther Volume: 30 Page(s): 1381 - 1395
04/06/2022 Authors: Hossian AKMN; Hackett CS; Brentjens RJ; Rafiq S