Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Research Program

Overview

The David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Research Program within Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center drives basic discovery science. Research is focused on dissecting mechanisms of immunity, exploring the relationship between inflammation and cancer, and developing innovative solutions to combat cancer through immune therapies and clinical trials.

With the discovery of PDL-1, this research program has contributed significantly to advancing checkpoint blockade therapy, anticancer vaccines, cellular therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy, oncolytic viral therapies and antibody-targeted chemotherapeutics.

Research aims

The Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Research Program has four research aims:

Aim 1: Research in this aim focuses on discovering the mechanisms used by cancer cells to evade the immune response and on developing ways to overcome these treatment barriers.

Aim 2: The purpose of this aim is to develop innovative immune interventions using antibody-mediated targeting and oncolytic viral targeting.

Aim 3: In this aim, research focuses on developing novel patient-centered individualized tumor-antigen identification and immunization strategies for cancer interception and intervention.

Aim 4: Research in this aim focuses on expanding innovative strategies that improve tumor targeting and activity of ex vivo engineered immune cells.

Program leadership

Saad J. Kenderian, M.B., Ch.B.
Dr. Kenderian is a hematologist and researcher at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Rochester, Minnesota, and an assistant professor of medicine, immunology and oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. He also is domain leader of cellular therapies and viral and gene therapies within the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Kenderian's research focuses on developing and optimizing novel-engineered T cell therapy approaches to treat cancer.

Keith L. Knutson, Ph.D.
Dr. Knutson is an immunologist and pharmacologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida. He is the Andrew A. and Mary S. Sugg Professor of Cancer Research and a professor of immunology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His research focuses on the development and clinical implementation of immune therapeutics. Dr. Knutson also conducts vaccine trials in breast cancer and ovarian cancer to prevent recurrence after standard-of-care therapy.

Virgina M. Shapiro, Ph.D.
Dr. Shapiro is an immunologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Rochester, Minnesota, and a professor of immunology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. She is also vice chair of the Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology and associate dean for faculty affairs at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Shapiro investigates the role of immune modulation through differential addition of sialic acids on tumor glycoproteins.