Immunotherapies have become crucial treatment options for a variety of cancer types. However, fewer than 30% of people respond to a given therapy. Hence, as low efficacy and widespread immune-related toxicity severely limit both treatment efficacy and combination therapy options, there is urgent need to develop novel immunotherapy targets with an improved efficacy and safety profile. Thus, the overall goal of this application is to devise and test novel immunotherapeutic strategies through mechanism-guided approaches. Accordingly, the objectives of my proposal are to (i) assess the clinical validly of novel cellular targets of cancer immunotherapy, (ii) develop and/or test immunotherapies th...

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Immunotherapies have become crucial treatment options for a variety of cancer types. However, fewer than 30% of people respond to a given therapy. Hence, as low efficacy and widespread immune-related toxicity severely limit both treatment efficacy and combination therapy options, there is urgent need to develop novel immunotherapy targets with an improved efficacy and safety profile. Thus, the overall goal of this application is to devise and test novel immunotherapeutic strategies through mechanism-guided approaches. Accordingly, the objectives of my proposal are to (i) assess the clinical validly of novel cellular targets of cancer immunotherapy, (ii) develop and/or test immunotherapies that selectively target these cells and (iii) rationally combine these therapies with existing treatment options for optimal efficacy while limiting toxicity. I strive to translate promising preclinical findings into meaningful therapies and further test their validity in early clinical trials by closely working with established collaborators and by building new clinical connections at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Having secured my first R01 grant already, my immediate goals are to (i) obtain additional NIH funding for my lab and to effectively translate my academic research into new therapies, (ii) take leadership courses and seek constructive feedback to improve my faculties and to develop an effective teaching style, (iii) hire, supervise and mentor technicians, graduate students and postdocs to help shape the next generation of successful researchers and independent thinkers (iv) contribute to other investigators' research by establishing vital clinical and scientific collaborations, (v) develop and test novel therapies, and (vi) continue to publish seminal, high-impact research papers. Thus, I want to develop and assess such novel therapies and be at the forefront of highly translational and innovative research that significantly impacts and improves clinical treatment practice.

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