Dr. Mason’s lab focuses on developing novel approaches to generate functional, tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. One approach involves active immunization using whole tumor RNA loaded CD40 activated B cells, aimed at activating tumor specific T cells in vivo. A second approach involves the passive adoptive transfer of genetically modified autologous T cells that are capable of MHC-independent tumor antigen recognition and activaton/effector function in the absence of co-stimulatory ligands. A second related focus of Dr. Mason’s lab is to identify novel tumor-associated antigens and to develop single-chain Fragment variable targeting systems that can be used alone or in concert with cell based therapies to target spontaneous occurring tumors. Through innovative clinical trials in canine cancer patients, the lab is working in concert with clinical oncologists to evaluate the safety and efficacy of both active immunization and passive adoptive transfer of genetically modified T cells in the treatment of spontaneously occurring cancer.

Huang Shih-Hung, Kozak Philip J, Kim Jessica, Habineza-Ndikuyeze Georges, Meade Charles, Gaurnier-Hausser Anita, Patel Reema, Robertson Erle, Mason Nicola J Evidence of an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus in domestic dogs. Virology : , 2012.

Ito Daisuke, Frantz Aric M, Williams Christina, Thomas Rachael, Burnett Robert C, Avery Anne C, Breen Matthew, Mason Nicola J, O'Brien Timothy D, Modiano Jaime F CD40 ligand is necessary and sufficient to support primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells in culture: a tool for in vitro preclinical studies with primary B-cell malignancies. Leukemia & lymphoma : , 2012.

Sorenmo KU, Krick E, Coughlin CM, Overley B, Gregor TP, Vonderheide RH, Mason NJ. CD40-activated B cell cancer vaccine improves second clinical remission and survival in privately owned dogs with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. PLOS One 6: e24167, 2011.

Gaurnier-Hausser A, Patel R, Baldwin AS, May MJ, Mason N. NEMO Binding Domain peptide inhibits constitutive NF-{kappa}B activity and reduces tumor burden in a canine model of relapsed, refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphom Clin Cancer Res. : , 2011.

Braganza Andrea, Wallace Koranda, Pell Laura, Parrish Colin R, Siegel Don L, Mason Nicola J Generation and validation of canine single chain variable fragment phage display libraries. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology 139: 27-40, 2011.

Ahern Benjamin J, Schaer Thomas P, Terkhorn Shawn P, Jackson Karen V, Mason Nicola J, Hankenson Kurt D Evaluation of equine peripheral blood apheresis product, bone marrow, and adipose tissue as sources of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentation potential. American journal of veterinary research 72: 127-33, 2011.

Mason NJ, Coughlin CM, Overley B, Cohen JN, Mitchell EL, Colligon TA, Clifford CA, Zurbriggen A, Sorenmo KU, Vonderheide RH RNA-loaded CD40-activated B cells stimulate antigen-specific T-cell responses in dogs with spontaneous lymphoma. Gene Therapy : 955-65, 2008.

Callan Mary Beth, Appleman Elizabeth H, Shofer Frances S, Mason Nicola J, Brainard Benjamin M, Groman Reid P Clinical and clinicopathologic effects of plateletpheresis on healthy donor dogs. Transfusion 48: 2214-21, 2008.

Mason NJ, Fiore J, Kobayashi T, Masek KS, Choi Y, Hunter CA TRAF6-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase activation differentially regulates the production of interleukin-12 by macrophages in response to Toxoplasma gondii Infect Immun 72: 5662-7, 2004 .

Mason NJ, Artis D, Hunter CA New lessons from old pathogens: what parasitic infections have taught us about the role of Nuclear Factor-kappaB in the regulation of immunity Immunol Rev 201: 48-56, 2004.

Bachelor (Veterinary Medicine ) University of London , 1992

PhD (Immunology) University of Pennsylvania , 2004