Skip Navigation

Visiting Dana-Farber? See our prescreening and mask requirements.

Research

  • Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology

    Cancer Immunology and Virology team members

    Our department performs basic research in cancer immunology and virology, and develops new therapeutic strategies based on novel mechanistic insights.

    Immunology cell machine

    The magnitude and durability of responses to immunotherapies in patients with diverse types of cancer are unprecedented in oncology.

    Dr. Hemler in his lab

    Cancer immunology is an important part of the fabric of the Institute. We serve as an intellectual center for cancer immunology efforts across the Institute and the Harvard Medical School community.

    Researcher at work in CIV lab

    We collaborate closely with our clinical colleagues, aiming for a seamless transition from basic discovery to clinical translation.

    Lab Manager Charles Thomas in Immunology Lab

    We emphasize development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies that enhance our ability to study immune responses in both animal models and patients.

    Cancer immunology is one of today's most exciting and important areas of investigation in the cancer field.

    Advances and Developments

Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology

  • The department performs basic research in cancer immunology and virology and develops new therapeutic strategies based on novel mechanistic insights. Cancer immunology is now one of the most exciting and important areas of investigation in the cancer field.

    The magnitude and durability of responses to immunotherapies in patients with diverse types of cancer are unprecedented in oncology. Dana-Farber has a long history of excellence in this field, and our immunology investigators have made important contributions to these advances that are now benefiting patients. We think that this is just the beginning of one of the most exciting chapters in the fight against cancer.

    Learn more about our mission and departmental emphasis


  • Immunology's Role in the Fight Against Cancer
    Kai W. Wucherpfennig, MD, PhD, Co-chair of the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology at Dana-Farber, describes how immunology research contributes to the fight against cancer and the development of new and promising cancer treatments for patients.

  • Why Do Basic Research in a Cancer Institute?
    Carl Novina, MD, PhD, from Dana-Farber's Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, describes the role of basic research in providing the building blocks upon which future cancer treatments are built.

  • Our Research Focus

    Basic Immunological Mechanisms

    All therapeutic advances in cancer immunology are based on our growing understanding of fundamental immunological mechanisms. We approach immunology as a complex system in which many cell populations activate and regulate each other.  

    Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

    We are developing novel approaches for immunotherapy, and we closely collaborate with our clinical colleagues to advance important discoveries to clinical trials. The Wucherpfennig Lab has developed a novel approach for systematic discovery of negative regulators of T cell function. 

    Viral Immunology

    HIV infects a critical population of immune cells (CD4 T cells), resulting in an immunodeficiency syndrome that predisposes to opportunistic infections and cancer. A shared interest by HIV and cancer immunology investigators is the development of vaccines.

    Cancer Immunology Working Group

    At monthly faculty meetings, basic and clinical immunologists discuss ongoing research in their labs to foster translation of immunological principles into clinical immunotherapy trials. Immunologists in other departments are part of our vibrant immunology community and contribute expertise.

  • Highlights from Our Research

    kai-wucherpfennig

    Novel immunotherapy strategy for tumors resistant to cytotoxic T cells

    First/last authors: Lucas Ferrari de Andrade/Kai Wucherpfennig

    Many human cancers escape from T cell mediated immunotherapy with checkpoint blockade. We show that such resistant tumors can be treated with antibodies that target stress proteins, thus making them susceptible to NK cell-mediated immune attack.   

    Joseph_Sodroski_Sodroski

    HIV-1 Entry Inhibitors Lock Up the Flexible Viral Envelope Protein

    First/last authors: Shitao Zou/Joseph Sodroski

    Certain inhibitors of HIV-1 entry into cells lock the flexible envelope protein on the virus surface into its natural shape, allowing it to be studied in greater detail. Such information may help to design an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

    Carl_Novina_SOG_5869_13

    Identifying How RNAs Work by Characterizing Its Interacting Proteins

    First/last authors: Karyn Schmidt/Carl Novina

    The Novina lab demonstrated that a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) mediates melanoma invasion by binding to the androgen receptor (AR). Oligos that sterically block the AR binding site on the lncRNA prevented melanoma invasion, suggesting a new therapeutic strategy.

     

  • Support, Join, Contact

    Support Our Cancer Research

    To learn more about the many ways you can support Dana-Farber's research initiatives with a philanthropic gift, please contact Rebecca Shortle at 617-632-4215 or rebecca_shortle@dfci.harvard.edu.

    Join Our Team

    Learn about our opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and junior faculty.

    Recent Publications

    View publications by members of the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology.

    Contact Us

    Our mailing address is 450 Brookline Avenue, SM-0770B, Boston, MA 02215.

    To contact us, call Charles Thomas at 617-632-6659 or email him at charlesa_thomas@dfci.harvard.edu.

  • Related Links

  • Recent Topics in Immunotherapy

    Paul Richardson, MD
    News Releases
    8/30/2023

    Potent Oral Agent Acting as Immunotherapy and Targeted Treatment Produces High Response Rate in Certain Patients

    • Research
    • Immunotherapy
    • Multiple Myeloma
    _
    News Releases
    8/11/2023

    Study shows immunotherapy may benefit a subset of patients with penile cancer

    • Immunotherapy
    Cummings' care team includes (left to right) Caron Jacobson, MD, Christine Ryan, MD, and Michelle DeNisco, RN.
    Insight Blog
    7/28/2023

    Follicular Lymphoma Patient Has Time On His Side After CAR T-Cell Therapy 

    • CAR T-Cell Therapy
    • Research
    • Patient Stories, Adult
    Publications
    7/18/2023

    Could natural killer cells build the foundation for a new vision of immunotherapy?

    • CAR T-Cell Therapy
    • Head and Neck Cancer
    • Acute Myeloid - AML
    _
    News Releases
    5/10/2023

    Three-drug combination slows progression of advanced kidney cancer

    • Research
    • Immunotherapy
    • Kidney Cancer
    News Releases
    5/3/2023

    Study Reveals How Gut Microbes Alter the Body’s Response to Cancer Immunotherapy

    • Research
    • Immunotherapy
    Publications
    4/26/2023

    How the discovery of an early, pre-malignant state in blood cells is transforming our understanding of human biology, aging, and disease

    • CAR T-Cell Therapy
    • Research
    • Multiple Myeloma
    • Lymphomas
    • Leukemias
    Getty Images
    News Releases
    3/31/2023

    Combination therapy a promising option for advanced kidney cancer patients already treated with immunotherapy

    • Research
    • Immunotherapy
    • Kidney Cancer
    Cigall Kadoch, PhD
    News Releases
    3/20/2023

    Researchers Identify Key Source of T Cell “Exhaustion”

    • CAR T-Cell Therapy