Tumor Immunity and Translational Therapeutics

Brain tumors suppress antitumor immunity through interactions among malignant cells, myeloid cells, lymphocytes, stromal cells, and the central nervous system microenvironment. We use single-cell, spatial, and functional approaches to identify immune states and treatment-induced changes that can be therapeutically exploited.

Tumor–immune microenvironment showing immune-rich and immune-excluded regions, treatment-induced tumor-cell death and immune activation, and profiling workflows for studying response and resistance.
Spatial and functional profiling links tumor–immune organization to mechanisms of response, resistance, and rational combination strategies. View full-size illustration

Current programs

Recent programs include correlative and preclinical studies linked to the PNOC005 measles-virus trial, AAV-based cytokine delivery, tumor-wide RNA-splicing neoantigens, T-cell receptor landscapes in pediatric brain tumors, and immune remodeling during glioma progression.

Primary and recurrent glioblastoma tissue sections with regional Iba1 histology and multiplex immunofluorescence panels identifying B cells, myeloid cells, nuclei, and T cells.
Histology and multiplex immunofluorescence reveal spatially organized immune niches in primary and recurrent glioblastoma. View full-size illustration

Translational objectives

These projects are designed around translation: defining biomarkers of response, mechanisms of resistance, and rational combination strategies that can inform the next generation of immunotherapy and gene-therapy studies.

Representative publications