Department of Immune Medicine

Immunity is a principle system to maintain health, and to originally defend against most diseases including cancer. Tumor progression is promoted by creating heterogeneity of immune microenvironment through the reciprocal evolution of cancer cells, stroma and immunity, leading to resistant to treatments. Therefore, we have been investigating the local and systemic interplay between cancer cells and a variety of cells such as mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, vascular cells and immune cells in the host by combining various approaches such as genomics (gene mutations), epigenomics (alterations caused by the surroundings) and then immunology. We also developing the novel immune therapeutic strategies based on the clarification of molecular mechanisms of host-immune reaction. Our destination is the translation of fundamental research into clinical benefit for the delivery of the best outcomes to the right patients at the right time. Thus, we have been also conducting clinical analysis using patient’s specimens by collaborating with clinicians and pharmaceutical companies within and outside the National Cancer Center. The ongoing projects are targeting:

• Tumor immune microenvironment
• Immune suppression and exhaustion
• Cancer associated fibroblasts
• Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
• Cancer stem cells and EMT
• Antibody drugs
• Cancer targeting oncolytic virotherapy