The immune system has an extraordinary capacity to recognize and eliminate foreign threats. Scientists and physicians have long sought to harness this coordinated defense—particularly the power of T cells—to treat cancer. In some patients, natural T cell responses against their tumors exist but require precise guidance to overcome the barriers that cancers erect. In others, such responses are absent, and T cells must be engineered to recognize and destroy malignant cells.
The Kalbasi Laboratory at Stanford University studies the dynamic interplay between cancer and the immune system in the context of T cell–based immunotherapies. As the language through which immune cells communicate, cytokines form a critical layer of control within this complex dialogue. We focus on deconstructing how cell-intrinsic cytokine signals shape successful immunotherapy responses—from both the T cell and the tumor perspective.
Our long-term goal is to translate these mechanistic insights into new cell- and protein-based therapies that enhance T cell immunotherapy and complement traditional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy. By bridging fundamental immunology with translational design, we aim to push the boundaries of how the immune system can be rewired to eradicate cancer. We welcome curious, creative scientists who want to join us in this effort.
