Zak Lab
Zak Lab
A cancer immunologist lab interested in mechanisms of response vs resistance to cancer immunotherapy and developing myeloid cell-targeting therapies.
Overview
The Zak Lab investigates how the immune system interacts with cancer and how these interactions can be leveraged to improve patient outcomes. Our research focuses on understanding mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer immunotherapy, with particular interest in the role of myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment.
By combining laboratory research, computational approaches, and clinical collaboration, we seek to develop new therapeutic strategies that enhance anti-tumor immunity and translate scientific discoveries into meaningful advances for patients.
Research Snapshot
- Cancer Immunology: Understanding how immune cells recognize and respond to cancer.
- Immunotherapy Response and Resistance: Identifying why some patients benefit from immunotherapy while others do not.
- Myeloid Cell Biology: Investigating how myeloid cells shape the tumor microenvironment and influence treatment outcomes.
- Translational Cancer Research: Moving discoveries from the laboratory toward clinical applications and therapeutic development.
Featured Discovery
Reprogramming the Immune System to Improve Cancer Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but many patients eventually stop responding to these therapies. Dr. Zak's research focuses on understanding why this resistance occurs and how the immune system can be reactivated to fight cancer more effectively.
In a landmark study published in Science, Dr. Zak and colleagues demonstrated that combining a JAK inhibitor (ruxolitinib) with PD-1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy could restore anti-tumor immune responses in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The research showed that JAK inhibition can reshape the tumor immune environment, reducing immune-suppressive myeloid cells while enhancing the activity of cancer-fighting T cells. The combination therapy produced encouraging clinical responses in patients who had previously failed checkpoint inhibitor treatment.
