Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI)

Dynamic single-cell systemic immune responses in immunotherapy-treated early-stage HR+ breast cancer patients - npj Breast Cancer npj Breast Cancer - Dynamic single-cell systemic immune responses in immunotherapy-treated early-stage HR+ breast cancer patients

Can immune signals in blood predict ICI response in early-stage HR+ breast cancer? A new study with contributions from Elizabeth Mittendorf and Eliezer Van Allen links CD8 T cell turnover, IFN activity in B cells & monocyte shifts to outcomes: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Kitlo hematopoietic stem cells exhibit distinct lymphoid-primed chromatin landscapes that enhance thymic reconstitution - Nature Communications Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) differentiate into multiple lineages, with such capacity impacted by aging. Here the authors identify Kitlo HSCs as a functionally distinct population that exhibits dis...

Immune recovery after transplant may rely less on the thymus & more on choosing the right stem cells. A PICI-supported @nature.com study identifies a unique group of blood-forming stem cells that improve immune rebuilding after transplant: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Human cancer-targeted immunity via transgenic hematopoietic stem cell progeny - Nature Communications Therapeutic T cells engineered to recognize tumour antigens are frequently short-lived and acquire unfavourable phenotypes in tumours. Here authors show that a tandem approach using autologous T cells...

What if one cell therapy could seed another? A Phase I @nature.com ‬study by @dgsomucla.bsky.social shows HSCs can be engineered to make tumor-targeting T cells—unlocking durable, self-renewing immunity.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

#CancerImmunotherapy #CellTherapy #TCRT

Exploitable mechanisms of antibody and CAR mediated macrophage cytotoxicity - Nature Communications The mechanism of macrophage cytotoxicity against cancer cells requires further illustration. By employing CRISPR screening in CAR-macrophage and cancer cell co-culture system, the authors identify dep...

What if tumors helped the immune system destroy them? A new PICI-supported study by @ucsanfrancisco.bsky.social & @washumedicine.bsky.social shows ATG9A-deficient tumors are vulnerable to macrophages. Add Trastuzumab + CSF1Ri? Full regression—no T cells: nature.com/articles/s41...

Common autoimmune drug may help reverse immunotherapy-induced diabetes, UCLA study finds A team of researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has identified a potential new strategy to prevent, and even reverse, immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced type 1 diabetes, ...

This form of diabetes affects up to 2% of patients on checkpoint inhibitors — and most require ICU care. The findings point to a path forward. (2/2)

→ www.uclahealth.org/news/release...
→ doi.org/10.1172/jci....

Can a common autoimmune drug help reverse a serious side effect of cancer immunotherapy?

A new PICI-supported @uclahealth.org study says maybe yes. JAK inhibitors may prevent or even reverse type 1 diabetes caused by checkpoint inhibitors. (1/2)

Congratulations to @pelkalab.bsky.social (@gladstoneinst.bsky.social) on receiving the 2025 @aaas.org Martin and Rose Wachtel Cancer Research Award. Her paradigm-shifting work in colorectal cancer is shaping the way we understand and potentially treat solid tumors. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

At #FOCIS2025, PICI President of Research Ira Mellman, PhD, delivered a keynote on how decades of discovery are rapidly becoming durable treatments — from checkpoint inhibitors and dendritic cells to cancer vaccines and engineered T cells.

KRAS mutations are among the most common—and hardest—targets in solid tumors. A new study from @pennmedicine.bsky.social introduces NeoCARs: T cells engineered to target mutant KRAS (G12V) via pMHC. IL-12 armoring + TCR knockout boost potency and safety: doi.org/10.1016/j.cc...

CEO of Sean Parker's breakthrough cancer drug institute on leading new race for cure Karen Knudsen is leading Sean Parker's cancer immunotherapy incubator where philanthropy and venture capital meet.

Thrilled to celebrate our CEO, @‪drkarenknudsen.bsky.social‬ as a 2025 CNBC Changemaker! From NIH research to the American Cancer Society to leading PICI, her mission: get innovation to those who need it most. Learn more:
www.cnbc.com/2025/06/18/c...
#Changemaker #CancerResearch

120+ minds. 3 days. 1 mission. At the PICI Spring Scientific Retreat, we aligned on what’s next in cancer immunotherapy. From AI to predictive biomarkers & smarter cell therapies, we’re moving breakthroughs from bench to bedside with urgency & purpose. Full recap: www.parkerici.org/the-latest/d...

PICI Investigator @judithagudo.bsky.social, PhD, was recognized with the 2025 CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Award, one of immuno-oncology’s highest honors from the Cancer Research Institute (CRI). Congratulations, Dr. Agudo!

www.cancerresearch.org/media-room/2...

“Why stop now, when we haven’t yet realized immunotherapy’s full potential?” In @natrevdrugdiscov.nature.com, Ira Mellman, PhD, President of Research at PICI, shares what’s next in Immunotherapy — from curative cell therapies to smarter T cells.

🔗 nature.com/articles/d41...

#Immunotherapy #Cancer

Congratulations to Anusha Kalbasi, MD, PICI Investigator at @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social, on receiving the 2025 CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Award. By advancing cell therapies for tough cancers, he is translating science into hope for patients who need it most.

www.cancerresearch.org/media-room/2...

At #ASCO25, PICI CEO @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social spoke with @endpts.com ‬about how PICI is accelerating trials, investing in AI & protecting progress as funding comes under threat.

→ Full conversation: events.endpts.com/asco25/on-de...

Celebrating Dr. Elizabeth Mittendorf, Co-Director of the PICI Center at Dana-Farber, on her election as @ASCO President for 2026–27! Her work is advancing cancer care.
🎧 Hear more: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

🔗 Read more: www.onclive.com/view/dr-mitt...

#ASCO #Immunotherapy #PICIProud

THIS MORNING: PICI CEO @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social joins @endpts.com at #ASCO2025 to discuss PICI’s evolving model and the imperative to align research, policy and investment with the realities facing patients today.

Register and watch live at 10:35 am CDT: events.endpts.com/asco25

Read this Endpoints article for insights on multiple glioblastoma study findings presented at #ASCO2025 with key contributions from Marcela Maus, MD, PhD (Massachusetts General Hospital), as well as Carl June, MD and Donald O’Rourke, MD (‪@pennmedicine.bsky.social)

David Barbie, MD, presents insights from the phase 3 ADRIATIC trial, examining clinical and molecular traits of early progressors and long-term survivors using durvalumab vs placebo after chemoradiotherapy in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer. #ASCO25

Dr. Knudsen's contributions include over 300 peer-reviewed publications and paradigm-shifting discoveries in prostate cancer research.

Congratulations, @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to ending cancer's devastating impact. #PICIatASCO #ASCO2025 (3/3)

Dr. Knudsen bridges academia, industry & philanthropy, driving innovations from lab to clinic. With leadership roles at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, @americancancersoc.bsky.social & PICI, @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social al exemplifies how bold science & visionary leadership can accelerate cures. (2/3)

Today at #ASCO2025, @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social, CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, receives the Allen S. Lichter Visionary Leader Award—recognizing a career dedicated to turning bold research into real patient impact.

9:45 AM–12:00 PM CDT | Hall B1
parkerici.org/asco2025 (1/3)

ASCO 2025: In a Defining Era for Oncology, PICI Drives Patient Impact Forward - Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy PICI’s contributions at ASCO 2025 span more than 50 presentations, including 16 oral sessions, 30+ poster sessions, 10 e-papers and a featured clinical science symposium. This volume reflects not only...

With 300+ publications and a commitment to accelerating therapies, @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social has built bridges across academia, industry and philanthropy.

Thank you for your dedication to ending cancer’s devastating impact.

🕘 Sat, 9:45 AM CT | Hall B1
🔗 www.parkerici.org/the-latest/a...

Tomorrow at #ASCO2025, @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social, CEO of PICI, will receive the Allen S. Lichter Visionary Leader Award—one of oncology’s highest recognitions.

From leading the American Cancer Society to advancing @parkerici.bsky.social, her work exemplifies bold science and strategic leadership.

Targets EGFRvIII & deploys TEAM antibodies at wild‑type EGFR—early traction against GBM heterogeneity.

Explore more PICI Network highlights: www.parkerici.org/the-latest/a...
#PICIatASCO #CancerImmunotherapy (2/2)

PICI Network Highlights: Today at #ASCO2025, Oral Abstract 2008 presents CARv3‑TEAM‑E for recurrent GBM.

Time 5:09–5:21 PM CDT | Room S406, McCormick Place.

PICI investigator Marcela Maus, MD, PhD (Mass General) and colleagues are re‑arming T cells to outwit GBM heterogeneity. (1/2)

The @ascocancer.bsky.social Annual Meeting starts Friday in Chicago. PICI highlights include:

→ Top ASCO honor for @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social

→ Promising glioblastoma advances

→ 50+ oral sessions, posters, e-papers & a clinical science symposium

See more: www.parkerici.org/the-latest/a...

Serotonin transporter inhibits antitumor immunity through regulating the intratumoral serotonin axis Serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibits CD8 T cell antitumor immunity by depleting intratumoral serotonin. SERT-blocking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants enhance CD8 T cell ...

Prozac‑class SSRIs just boosted tumor‑fighting T cells. Cell data: blocking SERT with fluoxetine or citalopram halves tumor size in 5 models and deepens PD‑1 response, clearing some melanomas and colon tumors. High SERT predicts poorer survival—now a druggable checkpoint. Study 👉 bit.ly/4jaJ59H

At #STATBreakthroughWest, PICI CEO @drkarenknudsen.bsky.social joined ASCO, MGB & @statnews.com to discuss how AI must move from hype to impact. From RADIOHEAD to Xaira Tx, the PICI Network is using AI + biology to speed trials and move bold science toward cures.

www.statnews.com/2025/05/16/c...

7TH ANNUAL EMERGING FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY May 22, 2025 | 1:00PM - 8:00 PM ET MassBio Hub | 700 Tech Square 5th floor, Cambridge, MA Reception | Catalyst Restaurant

We’re building a model to move science faster to patient impact. That’s why we’re proud to be featured at the 7th Annual Emerging Frontiers in Oncology on May 22, which explores how science, capital & clinical urgency are reshaping oncology.

Sign up and learn more: emergingfrontiersoncology.com