Dr. Okada, along with Lawrence Fong, M.D., Kunle Odunsi, M.D., Ph.D., and Pawel Kalinski, M.D., Ph.D., is focusing on timely development of innovative clinical strategies to improve the ability of T cells to infiltrate and eliminate tumors. Although technologies are available for systemic infusion of large numbers of anti-cancer T cells and reversal of local immune-suppression, for solid cancers including brain, colorectal, ovarian and prostate, a major unsolved challenge is to drive sufficient number of T cells to the tumor site. To address this, Dr. Okada and his colleagues are testing a triple combination called CKM―of IFN-α, TLR3 ligands (PolyI:PolyC12U/rintatolimod or Poly-ICLC) and celecoxib―in preclinical cancer models as well as in phase I and II clinical trials. They're also evaluating how the CKM regimen combines with vaccines and checkpoint immunotherapy.
Projects and Grants
Enhancing T-cell homing to solid cancers by stimulating proper chemokines
University of California, San Francisco | All Cancers, Brain Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer | 2015
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