Although immune checkpoint blockade therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, a subset of tumors, such as those of the breast, are still largely unresponsive. The Dongre Lab is focused on understanding mechanisms that can potentiate the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in the context of poorly responding tumors. We specifically focus on the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) as a driver of resistance to anti-tumor immunity and immune checkpoint blockade therapy in breast cancers. 

The EMT is a cell biological process that facilitates the conversion of epithelial cells to more-mesenchymal derivatives. Activation of the EMT program enables cancer cells to metastasize to distant organ sites and mount refractory responses to various targeted and chemotherapeutic regimens. In addition to these well-documented features, we have recently shown that the EMT also enables breast carcinomas to establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and drive resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.