Immuno-Oncology and Microbiome

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Program Meeting

Online via Zoom ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu

Mission

The scientific mission of the Immuno-Oncology and Microbiome (IOM) research program at the University of Florida Health Cancer Center is to improve cancer outcomes through innovative therapeutic research on microbiome-immunotherapy interactions influencing epithelial and immune cell function, engaging clinicians and basic scientists to partner on innovative investigator-initiated trials (IITs).

Three men in white lab coats and gloves talk with each other in a lab.

The program develops and translates immunotherapy modalities, such as RNA-based vaccines, adoptive cellular therapies, genetically modified T cells and microbiome-based therapy, into first-in-human studies. The Comparative Oncology Initiative has allowed IOM investigators to validate new technologies in pet dog trials while a cadre of clinical trialists move these and other UF findings into human application.

Through the I2T3, structured processes have been developed for translation of basic concepts into human studies. IOM thus advances preclinical through clinical evaluation of novel patient-specific therapies to address priority cancers of the catchment area, engaging the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement and members of the Community Advisory Board in the review and design of clinical trials.

Aims

The aims of the IOM program are to elucidate principles of cancer immunobiology relevant to developing or improving immuno-oncology therapeutics; define the microbiome contribution to cancer development, therapeutics and immunoactivity; and translate scientific discoveries into early-phase clinical trials.

Program Members

To request an update, please email ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu.

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Daniel Araujo

Daniel Araujo, MD,MBA

Clinical Associate Professor

Department of Medicine, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Drug Design
  • Genital-Urinary
  • Immunoregulation & Suppression
  • Immunotherapy
  • Kidney
  • Nutrition
  • Nutrition, Dietary Supplements & Cancer
  • Skin/Melanoma
  • Targeted Cancer Therapy

Steven Bruner

Steven Bruner, PHD

Professor

Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Cell Signaling Pathways
  • Drug Design

Matthew J Cascio

Matthew J Cascio, DO

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Biostatistics
  • Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcomas
  • Immunotherapy

Paul Castillo Caro

Paul Castillo Caro, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Hematologic Malignancies
  • Immunotherapy
  • Leukemia

Jonathan Alexander Chatzkel

Jonathan Alexander Chatzkel, BA,MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Genital-Urinary
  • Immunotherapy
  • Kidney
  • Metastasis
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Quality of Life Issues

Roy Curtiss

Roy Curtiss, PHD

Professor

Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Anti-Tumor Vaccines

Bently Doonan

Bently Doonan, MS,MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Immunotherapy
  • Metastasis
  • Skin/Melanoma
  • Targeted Cancer Therapy

Mariola J Edelmann

Mariola J Edelmann, MS,PHD

Associate Professor

Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Immunoregulation & Suppression

Lynn El Haddad

Lynn El Haddad, BS,MS,PHD

Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Bioinformatics
  • Cancer Survivorship
  • Drug Resistance
  • Epidemiology
  • Gastro-Intestinal
  • Hematologic Malignancies
  • Immunotherapy
  • Quality of Life Issues

Leighton Andrew Elliott

Leighton Andrew Elliott, BS,MS,MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine, College of Medicine

Program: IOM

Research Interests:

  • Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcomas
  • Cancer Prevention
  • Cancer Survivorship
  • Drug Design
  • Health Disparities
  • Imaging
  • Immunotherapy
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Targeted Cancer Therapy
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