Damon Runyon Researchers

The discovery that the immune system can be used to treat cancers has revolutionized treatment and given new hope for long-term response and survival to patients with lung cancer. Research has demonstrated that there are some predictors of response to immunotherapy, such as tumor mutation burden, which is increased in patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Dr. Hellmann will focus on gaining a deeper understanding of how responses are initiated, how they remain durable, and what features characterize resistance when it occurs. He aims to use this information to build better immunotherapy strategies for patients with lung cancer--to broaden the number of patients who can benefit, improve the depth and durability of response, and have rational strategies for overcoming resistance if it occurs.