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- Immunobiology and Tumor Microenvironment Program
The Immunobiology and Tumor Microenvironment (ITM) Program’s overall goal is to produce strong basic immunology and tumor microenvironment (TME) studies and translate these novel findings into the development of cancer immunotherapies that can be readily tested in a clinical setting.
The Immunobiology and Tumor Microenvironment (ITM) Program’s overall goal is to produce strong basic immunology and tumor microenvironment (TME) studies and translate these novel findings into the development of cancer immunotherapies that can be readily tested in a clinical setting.
The three aims of the ITM program
By investigating the complex interactions between tumors and the immune system, the program generates foundational insights that drive the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Its integrated and iterative research program of wide-ranging discovery, immune monitoring, new treatments and trials is designed to bring immunotherapy to the center of cancer treatment. Through close collaboration among laboratory scientists, translational investigators and clinical teams, we aim to transform scientific discoveries into impactful, patient-centered treatments.
Aim 1
Discovery Immunobiology
Combine discovery science research across disciplines to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the immune system
Aim 2
Immune and TME Monitoring
To identify predictive biomarkers and the basis for failure of response to therapy or relapse in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of patients receiving immune checkpoint therapy (ICT)
Aim 3
New Immune Therapies and Combinations
To bring new immune therapies and therapy combinations to the clinic
Leadership
James Allison, Ph.D.
ITM Co-leader
Jeff Molldrem, M.D.
ITM Co-leader
Xi Chen, Ph.D.
ITM Associate Leader
Qing Ma, Ph.D.
ITM Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination Liaison
Giannicola Genovese, M.D., Ph.D.
ITM Community Outreach and Engagement Liaison
ITM members regularly participate in the following activities
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James P. Allison Institute Symposium
More about the symposium
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Biology of Hematological Malignancies Seminar Series
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James P. Allison Institute Seminar Series
More about the Allison Institute Seminar Series
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Center for Cancer Immunology Research Trainee Seminar Series
More about the weekly seminar
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Platform for Innovative Microbiome and Translational Research Seminar
More about PRIME-TR events
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Cancer Bioengineering Collaborative Seminar Series
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James P. Allison Institute & Institute for Data Science in Oncology Hackathon
More about the hackathon
Featured Publications
Neoadjuvant PD-L1 plus CTLA-4 blockade in patients with cisplatin-ineligible operable high-risk urothelial carcinoma
Nature Medicine, 2020
Gao J, Navai N, Alhalabi O, Siefker-Radtke A, Campbell MT, Tidwell RS, Guo CC, Kamat AM, Matin SF, Araujo JC, Shah AY, Msaouel P, Corn P, Wang J, Papadopoulos JN, Yadav SS, Blando JM, Duan F, Basu S, Liu W, Shen Y, Zhang Y, Macaluso MD, Wang Y, Chen J, Zhang J, Futreal A, Dinney C, Allison JP, Goswami S, Sharma P
Dietary fiber and probiotics influence the gut microbiome and melanoma immunotherapy response
Science, 2021
Spencer CN, McQuade JL, Gopalakrishnan V, McCulloch JA, Vetizou M, Cogdill AP, Khan MAW, Zhang X, White MGEMP, Peterson CBIII, Wong MC, Morad G, Rodgers T, Badger JH, Helmink BAEMP, Andrews MC, Rodrigues RR, Morgun A, Kim YS, Roszik J, Hoffman KL, Zheng J, Zhou Y, Medik YB, Kahn LM, Johnson S, Hudgens CW, Wani K, Gaudreau PO, Harris AL, Jamal MA, Baruch EN, Perez-Guijarro E, Day CP, Merlino G, Pazdrak B, Lochmann BS, Szczepaniak-Sloane RA, Arora R, Anderson J, Zobniw CM, Posada E, Sirmans E, Simon J, Haydu LE, Burton EM, Wang L, Dang M, Clise-Dwyer K, Schneider S, Chapman T, Anang NAS, Duncan S, Toker J, Malke JC, Glitza IC, Amaria RN, Tawbi HA, Diab A, Wong MK, Patel SP, Woodman SE, Davies MA, Ross MI, Gershenwald JE, Lee JE, Hwu P, Jensen V, Samuels Y, Straussman R, Ajami NJ, Nelson KC, Nezi L, Petrosino JF, Futreal PA, Lazar AJ, Hu J, Jenq RR, Tetzlaff MT, Yan Y, Garrett WS, Huttenhower C, Sharma P, Watowich SS, Allison JP, Cohen L, Trinchieri G, Daniel CR, Wargo JA
A Genetic Mouse Model Recapitulates Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis and Supports a Mechanism-Based Therapeutic Intervention
Cancer Discovery, 2021
Wei SC, Meijers WC, Axelrod ML, Anang NAS, Screever EM, Wescott EC, Johnson DB, Whitley E, Lehmann L, Courand PY, Mancuso JJ, Himmel LE, Lebrun-Vignes B, Wleklinski MJ, Knollmann BC, Srinivasan J, Li Y, Atolagbe OT, Rao X, Zhao Y, Wang J, Ehrlich LIR, Sharma P, Salem JE, Balko JM, Moslehi JJ, Allison JP
CCSG Research Programs