Damon Runyon Researchers

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and has one of the highest cancer-related mortality rates. Conventional cancer immunotherapies, which largely focus on enhancing T cell activity, are unfortunately effective in only a small minority of HCC patients. Though dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for T cell activation, their potential as an immunotherapeutic target remains poorly understood. Dr. Cao [Bakewell Foundation Fellow] is investigating how a unique, hyperactivated state of DCs can be harnessed to enhance anti-tumor immunity in a genetically engineered mouse model of HCC. Her work aims to uncover how hyperactivated DC responses generate stronger and longer-lasting protection against HCC and hopefully other cancers that are poorly responsive to conventional therapies. Dr. Cao received her MD, PhD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx and her BS from Cornell University, Ithaca.