Host-Tumor Interactions Research Program
Tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis depend not only on the tumor cell alone, but also on the complex interactions between the cancer, stromal, and immune cells. The goal of the Host-Tumor Interactions Research Program is to develop a detailed and mechanistic understanding of the complex cell and microenvironment in which cancer cell interact, and how these interactions influence cancer therapies and immunotherapies.
RESEARCH THEMES
With the goal of understanding how complex interactions between tumor cells and their host contribute to cancer, the Host-Tumor Interactions program focuses on three specific research themes:
Inflammation & Immunity
Uncovering basic immune regulatory mechanisms in anti-tumor immunity and how inflammation can be exploited to eliminate cancer or can trigger and promote tumors
Tumor Systems Biology
Establishing single cell biology and modeling approaches to assess the composition and roles of the heterogeneous cell populations in tumor progression or therapeutic responses.
Tumor Imaging & Metabolism
Integrating and developing molecular imaging technologies to understand and monitor how tumors evolve in a changing microenvironment
Meet the Program Members
The Host-Tumor Interactions program is co-led by Jeffrey Rathmell, Ph.D. and John T. Wilson, Ph.D. The basic, translational, and clinical scientists who make up this program are focused on discovering and understanding these interactions, with the ultimate goal of developing strategies to control tumor progression and metastasis by targeting these interactions.
