Cancer Research

Our Work

Ongoing research at the Penn Vet Cancer Center includes work in the following areas:

• Immuno-oncology, including innovative vaccines, cell therapies, reagent development, and immune monitoring.
• Tumor microenvironment/ecosystem and cachexia, including work in mitochondria and metabolism.
  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises a complex network of stromal and cellular components that are increasingly recognized as playing a role in the development of cancer, as well as the response of cancers to treatment. A large and growing body of evidence suggests that tumor development, progression, and metastasis are dependent on the microenvironment, including infiltrating inflammatory and immune cells and endothelial cells, as well as cancer-associated fibroblasts and the cancer-associated extracellular matrix. TME research at the Penn Vet Cancer Center includes a broad range of approaches to this field.
• Imaging-guided surgery, which uses near-infrared imaging to allow surgeons to see the edges of the tumor, allowing for a more complete cancer resection and better long-term outcomes.
  Risk factors, including studying the effects of age, obesity and microbiome.
• Patient management, including pain management and nutritional support.