Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team - Stand Up To Cancer

Convergence Teams

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SU2C Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team: Connecting Immune Health and Tumor Biology in Gynecologic Cancers

Grant Term: January 2018–November 2022

The SU2C Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team studies immune defects in gynecologic cancer patients with highly mutated tumors to gain insights into immune responsiveness. The scientists are working to predict therapeutic outcomes and tailor treatment regimens for this subset of gynecologic cancers.

ABOUT THIS TEAM’S RESEARCH

Mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency, the inability to repair faulty base pairing within the DNA helix, causes mutations to accumulate in DNA as cells replicate. In gynecologic cancers, the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors has been varied and may be related to the number of mutations carried by each tumor cell. The SU2C Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team hypothesizes that some tumors with a high number of mutations fail to respond to checkpoint inhibition because of an immune dysfunction related to the mechanism for MMR deficiency.

The team is conducting two clinical trials that will test a) whether tumor-intrinsic factors affect the response to checkpoint inhibition; b) whether baseline immune function and quality affect this response; and c) whether there are blood biomarkers during treatment that may reflect the tumor-immune interaction.

Understanding the mechanism that causes some gynecologic cancers to fail to respond to checkpoint inhibition has the potential to dramatically impact those patients who do not respond to current treatments.

MEET THE TEAM

The top scientists and researchers on the SU2C Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, which leads them to great insights upon collaboration. Learn more about the SU2C Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team.

Convergence Team Members

John Wherry, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Leader

Claire Friedman, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Co-leader

Shelley Berger, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Member

Robert Burger, MD, FACOG, FACS
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Member

Eric Carpenter, MBA, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Member

Travis Hollman, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Member

Dana Pe’er, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Member

Daniel Powell, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Member

Dmitriy Zamarin, MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Member

Alice Lustig
Stand Up To Cancer
Project Manager

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

Stand Up To Cancer’s research projects are designed to foster collaborative, swift translational research. The hallmarks of these efforts include rigorous application and selection procedures, sufficient funding to allow scientists to focus on the objectives of the grant, and six-monthly reviews by senior scientists. These reviews help the investigators capitalize on the latest findings, address potential roadblocks, and collaboratively evolve as the science requires. Please click on the link to see summaries of research results so far for the SU2C Gynecologic Cancers Convergence Research Team.

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

PUBLICATIONS

This team started its work in January 2018. Links to publications will be posted when they are available.

CLINICAL TRIALS REFERRALS

Cancer clinical trials allow researchers to study innovative and potentially life-saving new treatments. The goal is to find treatments that are better than what’s currently available; in fact, the therapies offered to today’s cancer patients were almost all studied and made possible by people participating in clinical trials. But many cancer clinical trials aren’t completed because not enough people take part.

At StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials, you’ll find information and answers to common questions about clinical trials. Learn more and talk to your doctor to see if a clinical trial may be the best choice for you.

LEARN MORE

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