The Samlowski Lab is involved in translational research and development of novel cancer immunotherapy agents. We evaluate promising new drugs using cellular and molecular studies, as well cancer treatment trials using mice and humans. Our goal is to move promising new drugs into human cancer treatment trials that incorporate correlative biologic studies designed to verify important intermediate endpoints or markers for drug activity.

Specific areas of work include the following:

Development of agents designed to prevent toxicity from cytokine treatment (for example, high-dose interleukin-2, or IL- 2). Our laboratory studies have identified novel mechanisms that cause cytokine-induced hypotension and vascular leak syndrome. These experimental findings have allowed us to develop a number of new drugs to prevent side effects. Two of the agents tested have reached Phase I clinical testing.

Evaluation of novel delivery systems for cytokines, such as IL-2 using thermosensitive polymers and gene therapy.

Evaluation of possible melanoma chemoprevention strategies in preclinical and clinical studies (in collaboration with members of the HCI Multidisciplinary Melanoma Program).