Damon Runyon Researchers

Dr. Rojek’s research aims to identify why cellular therapies, such as CAR T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), confer long-lasting responses for some cancer patients while others only experience transient clinical benefit. CAR T therapies have transformed the treatment landscape for patients with blood cancers, and TILs have entered wider clinical practice to treat melanoma patients. Dr. Rojek aims to identify the genetic and epigenetic differences in CAR T cells and TILs that are associated with long-lasting versus transient responses. She is also investigating how to promote “memory” formation in CAR T cells, with the goal of translating these findings to early phase trials of cellular therapies for patients with lymphoma or melanoma.