Research

Tumor-derived metabolites impair the cytotoxicity of immune cells (T cells, NK cells, macrophages). This might be one reason why anti-tumor immunotherapies have not been successful for solid tumors. Therefore, strategies to eliminate or decrease metabolites that inhibit the effector function of immune cells have potential therapeutic implications. We are developing chemical, enzyme, and engineered cell-based approaches to modulate the levels of tumor-derived metabolite suppressive factors in the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) to boost the cytotoxicity of immune cells. In our ongoing projects, we are augmenting the cytotoxicity of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) by targeting immune-suppressive metabolites in the TIME.