Jefferson Alumni Hall
Suite 454
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 503-9893
Most Recent Peer-reviewed Publications
- Metformin clinical trial in HPV+ and HPV-head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Impact on cancer cell apoptosis and immune infiltrate
- Potential role of CSF cytokine profiles in discriminating infectious from non-infectious CNS disorders
- Exosomal αvβ6 integrin is required for monocyte M2 polarization in prostate cancer
- Desmoglein 2 modulates extracellular vesicle release from squamous cell carcinoma keratinocytes
- Macrophage type 2 differentiation in a patient with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma to the cervical lymph nodes
Medical School
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh - 2002
Expertise and Research Interests
My research interests include various interactions between gliomas and the immune system. We are currently developing a dendritic cell-based vaccine for therapy of gliomas. Dendritic cells play an instrumental role in initiating and orchestrating immune responses within the body. Dendritic cells are located through out the body where they sample the local environment for traces of pathogens or tumors. Pieces of tumors are engulfed by dendritic cells that then migrate to draining lymph nodes. Here, dendritic cells activate lymphocytes. Activated lymphocytes then enter the circulation and attack infected or malignant cells. Tumors, on the other hand, have evolved many ways to evade detection by the immune system and to actively suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Our vaccine attempts to circumvent these evasive tricks utilized by gliomas by feeding dendritic cells pieces of dead and dying tumor cells in a culture dish. These loaded-dendritic cells are then injected back into patients to assume their natural role. Dendritic cell vaccination provides a boost for the immune system in hopes of preventing tumors recurrence.
Other Expertise
Cellular Immunology
Fluorescent detection; various forms of microscopy and flow cytometry
Computers; hardware, software, and networking
Basic Molecular Biology; PCR, RT-PCR, Western blotting
Keywords
immunology; cancer; gliomas; immunotherapy; dendritic cells; regulatory T cells