Research Interests
Elucidating the mechanistic basis of T cell dysfunction in human cancer; designing and testing the next generation of genetically-directed CAR T cells as immunotherapy for patients with cancer; epigenetic programming of immune cells; dissecting the signaling/molecular requirements for generation of effective memory and effector T cell responses
Research Summary
Research in the Fraietta laboratory focuses on the generation of innovative immunotherapy strategies involving T cells and their impact on immunity, tumor biology and the tissue/tumor microenvironment in the setting of translatable preclinical studies. We use primary patient samples, in vitro systems and cutting-edge animal models to 1) understand the factors and mechanisms associated with successful adoptive transfer of T cells, with the goal of improving the functions of both endogenous and gene-modified T cells, 2) develop mechanism-based strategies to enhance the survival, expansion and potency of infused T cell products directed against tumors and viral pathogens, and 3) devise methods to modulate the host immune environment to optimally activate T cells.