Research

The abscopal effect, tumor regression outside the irradiated field, is a well-known phenomenon that is, at least partially, mediated by CD8+ T-cells. This effect has been observed clinically, however, it occurs infrequently even when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. Our lab studies ways to enhance the frequency and magnitude of this effect for locally advanced and metastatic cancers. 

1. One specific area of work evaluates the importance of the tumor-draining lymph node on mediating and enhancing the abscopal effect. Tumor-draining lymph nodes are often removed surgically or irradiated during cancer treatment. Our lab is evaluating ways to shift the cancer treatment paradigm away from lymph node destruction and towards an immuno-modulatory approach that utilizes draining nodes to enhance the anti-tumor immune response.
2. Dexamethasone, an immunosuppressive medication, is frequently given to cancer patients for a variety of different indications. Patients receiving dexamethasone are often ineligible to receive checkpoint blockade due to a presumed impairment of CD8+ T-cell. We study ways that dexamethasone alters or reduces the anti-tumor immune response and how radiation can be used to overcome this immunosuppression.
3. The brain is considered an immune privileged site. However, in preliminary experiments we have shown that brain metastases demonstrate complex T-cell organization important for an anti-cancer immune response. We study whether these T-cell complexes in brain metastases can be used as biomarkers for an immune response, and ways that stereotactic radiosurgery may enhance T-cell infiltration and intra-cranial tumor control.