Reuben Laboratory
Alexandre Reuben, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
- Departments, Labs and Institutes
- Labs
- Reuben Laboratory
Areas of Research
- Immunotherapy Research
- Adoptive Cell Therapy Research
- Lung Cancer Research
- Immunology Research
The Reuben lab studies non-small cell lung cancer using a combination of in vivo models, in vitro models, and patient samples to study the immune response to lung cancer. We collaborate with clinicians and scientists across the Texas Medical Center to understand the different factors modulating the tumor microenvironment and responses to therapy—genomic, immune, microbial, viral, metabolic—to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities and improve on current therapies while developing novel approaches for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. First and foremost, we are tumor immunologists.
Research Focus
As a lab, we focus on understanding the interface between tumors and the immune system.
Our immune system is trained to detect and eradicate infected and malignant cells. Though it is generally effective at eliminating infected cells, malignant cells are a bigger challenge. Tumors arise from our own cells and organs, which makes them more challenging for the immune system to distinguish from our healthy cells and organs. Immunotherapies have focused on boosting the immune response, particularly T cells, to allow them to more readily detect and overpower tumors. Though these therapies have revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of cancer, many patients still do not benefit.
Our lab focuses on developing ways to enhance response to current immunotherapies, and on developing novel T cell therapies for the treatment of lung cancer. To do so, we perform flow cytometry, cell sorting, single cell sequencing, T cell receptor sequencing, ELISAs/ELISpots, and functional assays.
Funding
Exon20 Group
Lung Cancer Moon Shot
Rexanna’s Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer
Petrin Fund
Happy Lungs Project
CPRIT High Impact High Reward
Lung Cancer SPORE Developmental Research Project
RETpositive/LUNGevity Foundation
Reuben Laboratory News
Cancer immunologist: Research at MD Anderson is my calling - MD Anderson Cancerwise
RETpositive and LUNGevity Foundation Partner on Innovative Lung Cancer Research Award - LUNGevity Foundation
MD Anderson receives nearly $13 million from CPRIT to support research efforts - MD Anderson Newsroom
Two UW–Madison seniors were finalists this year for the Rhodes Scholarship - University of Wisconsin-Madison News
Three UW–Madison students named 2021 Goldwater Scholars - University of Wisconsin-Madison News
Scientists develop artificial intelligence method to predict anti-cancer immunity - ScienceDaily
For non-small cell lung cancer, T cell repertoire in lungs affects survival - MD Anderson Cancer Frontline