I am a surgical oncologist with a laboratory focus in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. My clinical interest is in the surgical management of hepatopancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal malignancies. My research interest is in CD8+ T cell-based approaches to cancer immunotherapy. I joined the faculty of the University of Michigan in 2016; prior to this, I was a surgeon-scientist at the University of Wisconsin. I completed my clinical training at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and my research training at the University of Wisconsin.
Research Interests
Our laboratory is interested in finding new ways to optimize CD8+ T cell-based approaches to cancer immunotherapy. Projects under active investigation include an exploration of the immunostimulatory effects of a novel form of tumor ablation called histotripsy, and the investigation of the impact of effector and memory CD8+ T cells on cancer stem cells.
Much of our studies are based on murine models of cancer and immunotherapy. Common techniques used in our laboratory include lymphocyte assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and RNA/protein array assays.
Research Opportunities for Rotating Students
histotripsy focused ultrasound ablation-mediated stimulation of tumor-specific immune responses; resistance of memory CD8+ T cells to cancer stem cell-mediated immune suppression
Publications
Russ AJ, et al. Ann Surg Oncol 2011;18:3848.
Russ AJ, et al. Cell Immunol 2011;271:104.
Wentworth L, et al. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013;62:149.
Mahvi DA, et al. J Immunother 2015;38:54.
Contreras A, et al. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016;65:601.
Contreras A, et al. J Immunother Cancer 2018;6:41.