Even with major advances in cancer immunotherapy, many tumors continue to evade immune detection and resist treatment. Most current therapies focus on activating T cells\u2014the immune system\u2019s direct cancer killers\u2014but another key player, the B cell, may hold untapped potential. B cells can enhance anti-tumor immunity by producing antibodies and by presenting tumor fragments, or antigens, to T cells to broaden their attack. Dr. Georgia Lattanzi\u2019s research seeks to understand how B cells expand and diversify immune responses against cancer, a process that could help overcome resistance to current therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Lattanzi\u2019s project investigates how tiny particles released by tumor cells, known as tumor extracellular vesicles (tEVs), activate B cells to coordinate stronger and more comprehensive immune attacks. Her studies suggest that tEVs carry tumor-associated proteins to nearby lymph nodes, where they stimulate B cells to \u201cteach\u201d T cells to recognize additional tumor targets\u2014effectively broadening the immune system\u2019s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. By uncovering how this B cell\u2013driven communication amplifies T cell responses, Dr. Lattanzi aims to identify new strategies that engage both arms of the immune system to create more durable and effective cancer treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Lattanzi is a cancer immunologist with expertise spanning molecular oncology, microbiome\u2013immune interactions, and translational immunotherapy. Her research integrates fundamental and applied approaches to understand how immune cells collaborate to eliminate cancer. Building on these insights, she aims to translate discoveries about B and T cell cooperation into new combination immunotherapies that produce stronger, longer-lasting responses for patients who do not benefit from current treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel Hollern, PhD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Deciphering the Mechanisms of B Cell\u2013Mediated Epitope Spreading in Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Even with major advances in cancer immunotherapy, many tumors continue to evade immune detection and resist treatment. Most current therapies focus on activating T cells\u2014the immune system\u2019s direct cancer killers\u2014but another key […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":36835,"template":"","tax_cancer_type":[455],"tax_grant_type":[486],"tax_award_year":[742],"tax_institutions":[654],"tax_location_states":[501],"class_list":["post-36876","cri_scientists","type-cri_scientists","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"scientist_subhead":"CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellow","quote":"","scientist_last_name":"Lattanzi","show_on_landing":true,"scientist_publish_until":"20281213"},"yoast_head":"\nProjects and Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n